Tuesday, 17 November 2015

14 Amazing Facts! 14 Amazing Animations! 1 Amazing Date!

                     Welcome back to my blog!  Does the date: 14 November ring a bell?  If the words ‘Children’s Day’ flashed through your mind or you were flooded with pleasant childhood memories of ‘Bal Divas’ (as it is known in Hindi), then you are on the right track! In my homeland India, we celebrate ‘Children’s Day’ on 14 November every year to increase the awareness of people towards the rights, care and education of children. The first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was born on this day 126 years back in the year 1889. It is indeed AN AMAZING DATE!


                      Google greeted ‘Happy Children’s Day’ on 14-November-2015 with ‘Create Something for India’ Doodle 4 Google 2015 winning entry (featured on its home page) below:

'Create Something for India' Doodle 4 Google 2015 Winning Entry

                    This innovative doodle has been created by P Karthik from Sri Prakash Vidyaniketan, Andhra Pradesh and shows a Plastic to Earth Machine. Karthik describes the doodle as , “This mega machine to recycle all the waste plastic from our country and make it into a material which helps the growth of mother nature. This machine will turn the most powerful evil plastic into green.”
  
                 Creative innovation of this kind is the way to go for the budding generations!   After all,
                                                “Children of today are Citizens of Tomorrow”.        

                Now let me post something amazing to celebrate this amazing date!  Every child has been enamored of animated characters.  Television to most children translates to Cartoons! As a child, my favorite hour was the cartoon hour on Sundays on Doordarshan. My favorite shows were ‘He Man and The Masters of the Universe’ and ‘Tom and Jerry’.

             Children connect with animals and even inanimate objects like dolls, toys etc.,. at a much different level than adults do.  Hence, it is but natural that when life is put into animated characters through great visual effects and advanced digital audio techniques, children get transported to the funny fantasy world of cartoons!

            Hence, what better way to celebrate the amazing date of 14 November 2015 than an effort to know more about our very dear and favorite, cartoon characters, some of whom, we may have grown up watching and who continue to enthrall the current generation as much as they used to rule the former!

             I therefore present to you 14 amazing facts and 14 amazing animations to celebrate 1 amazing date: 14-November-2015.

Here we go,

Did you know?

1.     Tom and Jerry* were initially Jasper and Jinx and the series has won seven academy awards for Animated Short Film!

That is some achievement for an Animated Film!

In the following video 'Puss Gets The Boot', at 2:30 Tom is called 'Jasper'. Although Jerry is not named in the film, his name is 'Jinx'. This is their debut appearance.
Watch, Laugh and Have Fun! 




  * In this post, each series will be counted as one animation. For example, Tom and        Jerry Series in this case,

2.    Mickey Mouse has only four fingers. There are two reasons behind it. The first was that Disney believed that five fingers were too many for a mouse. The second was to save company money.

      Watch this fun video where a 3 year old discovers that Mickey Mouse has only four fingers on each hand. 

         





3.    Donald Duck was created by Walt Disney when he heard Clarence Nash doing his “duck” voice while reciting ‘Mary Had A Little Lamb’ and his middle name is Fauntleroy (first revealed in the 1942 film Donald Gets Drafted) , reportedly the only major Disney character with an official middle name.

Here is a special appearance by the truly talented Clarence Nash at the 1984 Oscars.






4.      Popeye, the Sailor made his comic strip debut in January of 1929. Popeye was originally just one of many characters (an extra) in a comic series drawn by Elzie Segar called Thimble Theater, which had been around for about 10 years before Popeye showed up. The Popeye character quickly became so popular, the strip was re-christened Thimble Theater Starring Popeye and then later just called Popeye, the same title it carries to this day.

     Presenting the first appearance of Popeye,The Sailor in a Betty Boop Cartoon! Enjoy!







5.      Scooby Doo is really Scoobert “Scooby” Doo, named after a nonsense vocal line in Frank Sinatra’s hit song “Strangers in the Night”.

      Here is the  Scooby Doo! Where Are You Season1 Intro video! Sing and dance to the Intro!







6.  The main inspiration behind the appearance of the Disney character Aladdin was originally Michael J Fox in Back to the Future, but later changed to Tom Cruise.

     Can you spot the resemblance below?

             
The Disney Character Aladdin is inspired from Tom Cruise



7.   If Nemo  is one of your favorite characters, then  this one is for you !

Early Sketch - Finding Nemo


Finding Nemo







8. Native American Actress Irene Bedard not only voiced the title character of Pocahontas in the 1995 Disney Film, she also provided the major inspiration for the heroine’s look and movement.  Look at the unmistakable resemblance below:


                                   
Disney Character Pocahontas is inspired from Native American Actress Irene Bedard



  9.The American Film Institute lists Walt Disney Pictures’ The Lion King as the fourth best animated film of all time.

     Watch the trailer now.



10.   Hanna-Barbera character Yogi Bear’s personality and mannerisms derived inspiration from Art Carney’s  Ed Norton character on The Honeymooners , while his name resembled that of contemporary baseball star Yogi Berra.
                             
Yogi Bear, Boo Boo and Ranger Smith in Hanna-Barbera's Yogi Bear Series

11.   Jennifer Lee is the first female director of a Walt Disney Animation Studios feature film (Frozen) , the first writer at any major animation studio  to become a director and the first female director of a feature film that earned more than $1 billion in gross box office revenue.

     Catch Jennifer Lee on the success of Frozen in this video.



12.   The longest running primetime animated series is The Simpsons, which began in 1987. 

The Simpsons

        13. The word Pinocchio originates from  Italian language translating to ‘Pine Cone’. 

          Watch the Original Walt Disney 1940 Trailer of Pinocchio now.




  
    14.Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs won a special Honorary Academy Award . Academy President,Frank Capra came up with the idea of giving Disney a special Honorary Academy Award  for “significant screen innovation”. The award was one regular sized Oscar and seven tiny ones. Here’s Shirley Temple presenting the award:


        
      That brings us to the end of the list.

      In conclusion, here is an amazing animation collage (prepared by me), a collage of pictures of the legendary animations, we just  got to know better!

\

An Amazing Animation Collage





      Hope you enjoyed this post!

     Thanks for reading!

   
    References:





    Videos:


Thursday, 12 November 2015

Diwali 2015

                                                               
       
Happy Diwali

                 Namashkar and welcome back to my blog. On the auspicious occasion of Diwali 2015, first and foremost I wish all my readers worldwide a safe, happy and joyful Diwali and a happy and prosperous New Year 2016.

                 In my homeland India, Diwali is one of the largest, brightest and most-vibrant festivals. Spiritually, the festival of Diwali commemorates the victory of good over evil. The main festival of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month, Karthika. As per the Gregorian Calendar, it falls between mid-October and mid-November.

               Before Diwali, people clean, renovate and decorate their homes and offices. On Diwali night, people dress in new clothes or in their best outfits, light up diyas (lamps) inside and outside their homes (hence the name 'Deepavali' or the 'Festival of Lights') and perform family puja (prayers) customarily to Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. .

                       
Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi are worshiped on Diwali
                                   
                    After puja, fireworks follow, then a family feast with mithai (sweets) and then there is an exchange of gifts between family members and close friends.

Fireworks in Diwali
                  Diwali is an important festival for Hindus. The names of the festive days and the rituals of Diwali differ significantly among Hindus, depending on the regions of India.

Important Dates  of Diwali 2015:

November 7,2015: Govatsa Dwadashi celebrated as Vasu Baras in Maharashtra/ Nandini Vrat in South India 

              Cows and calves are worshiped on this day. The worshiped cows and calves are fed wheat preparations.
Govatsa Dwadashi

November 9, 2015: Dhanteras, the first big day of the festival

                Freshly painted homes are ready to welcome the festive season. Rangolis are drawn,  oil lamps are lit, purchases are made and businessmen open up their new account books. Diwali celebrations are officially in progress.  

         
Dhanteras
November 10, 2015: Choti Diwali / Naraka Chaturdashi

                This day commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna against Narakasur. In his incarnation as Krishna, he attacks Narakasur while riding his mount Garuda with his wife Satyabhama and beheads him with the Sudarshan Chakra.  In another version, it is said that Narkasur is granted a boon by Lord Brahma that he will only die at the hands of a woman. So in the battle, it is Lord Krishna's wife Satyabhama who beheads him with Krishna as her saarthi.  It is celebrated as an important day in all Maharashtrian Families.In West Bengal, this day is known as Kali Chaudas. The day marks the defeat of Narakasur at the hands of Goddess Kali.
                               
Narak Chaturdashi

November 11,2015: Diwali / Lakshmi Puja
   
                Lakshmi Puja is performed at dusk when people open their houses and doors to invite Goddess Lakshmi , the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity into their homes.  Lakshmi Puja is carried out with prayers to Lord Ganesha, the Reliever from Obstacles, Goddess Saraswathi, the Goddess of Learning and  Lord Kubera, the Keeper of Wealth, This is the day of fireworks and delicious sweets and savory snacks are exchanged.

Diwali
                                 

November 12, 2015: Padva / Balipratipada

             Goddess Lakshmi is believed to have chosen Lord Vishnu as her partner on this day. Padva celebrates the sacred bond of Husband and Wife. Couples exchange gifts and families meet for elaborate meals on this day. In some faiths, it is considered as the First Day of the New Year.
           
            Balipratipada is the tale of Lord Vishnu's devotee, Bali. In the Vamana avatar, Lord Vishnu assumed his humongous form and covered the universe in the first step, the earth in the second step and in the third step, since there was nothing else available, Bali offered his head after he discovered that it was Lord Vishnu. Though Bali was sent to Patal-Lok, Lord Vishnu gave him the opportunity to visit his kingdom once a year when his people will receive him with utmost love.

  
Balipratipada




November 13, 2015: Bhaiduj

             The last day of Diwali is Bhaiduj when sisters invite their brother(s) for a lavishly prepared meal. Gifts are exchanged and the bond shared by siblings is blessed by adults in the family.


Bhai Dooj
Significance of Diwali in Hinduism:

              The festival of Diwali is largely celebrated to commemorate the return of Rama to Ayodhya with his wife, Sita after vanquishing Ravana. It is believed that every house in the city of Ayodhya lit up earthen lamps to welcome their beloved prince thus beginning the tradition during Diwali.
                                
Diwali Legend

              According to another legend, Pandavas in Mahabharata returned to their homeland after 13 years and the day is celebrated to commemorate their return.

Significance of Diwali in Sikhism:

          Diwali marks the time of the year, when Guru Hargobind escaped Mughal custody and reached Golden Temple in Amritsar. The day is known as Bandi Chor Divas.

Bandi Chor Divas
                                    

Significance of Diwali in Jainism:

                     Jains celebrate a festival of lights to mark the attainment of Moksha by Mahavira.

   
Jain Deepavali


Significance of Diwali in Buddhism:

                   Some Buddhists also celebrate Diwali remembering Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism.


Diwali in Buddhism

                         It is time now to conclude my blog post on Diwali. I once again wish my readers worldwide a happy, colorful, safe, yummy and vibrant Diwali and a Prosperous New Year ahead. Hope you enjoyed reading my post as much as I enjoyed preparing this post.


Leaving you with yet another delightful picture of Diwali,

Happy Diwali 2015






As always, thanks for reading!

If you 'Like' this post,  'Share' it !

                  


References:

1.http://www.diwali2015india.in/diwali-why-is-it-celebrated-why-deepavali-celebrated/
2.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali
3.http://www.happydiwalifestivals.com/2015/10/diwali-advanced-wishes-happy-diwali-2015.html
4.http://travel.india.com/articles/diwali-2015-calendar-7-days-of-deepavali-and-how-they-are-celebrated/
5.http://www.drikpanchang.com/festivals/govatsa-dwadashi/govatsa-dwadashi-date-time.html?year=2015
6.http://www.happywalagift.com/dhanteras-puja-vidhi-shubh-muhurat-puja-timing-2015/
7.http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-all-you-need-to-know-about-narak-chaturdashi-the-second-day-of-diwali-2143321
8.http://starscafetaria.com/narak-chaturdashi-2015-wishes/.html
9.http://www.diwali2015india.in/picture-of-diwali-festival-in-india/
10.http://www.funnydam.com/picture-41554-pictures-of-bali-pratipada-.html#.VkRL1XYrLIU
11.http://upcoming-event.in/bhai-duj-2015/
12.http://indianmandirs.blogspot.in/2013/10/diwali-depavalli-colors-of-light.html
13.http://www.santabanta.com/e-cards/pictures/59608/
14.http://jainsite.com/jain-sitejainismall-jain-informationjain-stavan/diwali-history-of-jains.html
15.http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/community-festivals/diwali-in-buddhism-sikhism-jainism/
16.http://happydiwaliquotes.co.in/2015/10/happy-diwali-quotes-in-oriya/