Fans mark milestone

Kirklees Filmmakers have been granted £20,000 to bring the first Indian cinematic film Raja Harishchandra to life.

The group will pay homage to the black-and-white silent movie by creating a man-sized storyboard made up of 12 large canvasses.

Each canvass will depict a scene from the film, which told the story of a noble king who sacrifices his kingdom, wife and son to fulfil his promise to the revered Indian sage Vishwamitra.

The project will be carried out across Kirklees and Bradford and will involve 10 artists and 96 participants from schools and community groups in the districts.

Director of Kirklees Filmmakers Meirul Din said: “There are plenty of benefits to be gained from such a project happening in our area.

“It helps bring both Bradford and Batley districts together to work on something worthwhile and to even be a part of such a legacy piece that will be toured for years to come is a big achievement.

“I hope this project will allow them to engage in something that is innovative whilst creating art.”

The canvasses will be created at Batley Art Gallery from October 21 to November 8.

Once completed, they will be toured and exhibited around the UK, including at Batley Art Gallery.

The project was funded by the Arts Council, Kirklees Council and Metropolitan Bradford District Council.

For further information go to the www.loica.co.uk.