Storyboard: The Potter and the Wagher (Gujarati folktale)

Optional (Animation) — in the exam: answer ONE of Questions 4–7 A folktale has to be made into an animation film. Read the story carefully and complete the task given below. The Potter and the Wagher A Gujarati folktale – from Folktales of India (1987) Eds. Brenda E. F. Beck, Peter J. Claus, Praphulladatta Goswami, and Jawaharlal Handoo, University of Chicago Press. p.232 Once upon a time, there were two friends, a potter and a Wagher. The latter was a member of a caste of warriors. The men were neighbours, and their wives were friends as well. These women used to sit and gossip together in their spare time. Now, the potter was strong, tall, and sturdy while the Wagher was very thin. The potter’s wife used to chide the Wagherani (Wagher’s wife) saying, “how can such a thin man hold a spear and a sword? How can he face a powerful foe?” The Wagherani felt bad, but she could say nothing in reply. She knew that her husband was a weakling. One day, the pot-drums thundered and a band of outlaws entered the village to loot and plunder. In fear, the potter tried to hide himself on the verandah of his house. The Wagher, however, picked up his sword and came out of his house at the sound of the warning drums. He saw the potter crouched in a corner while a crowbar lay nearby. The Wagher thus walked into the potter’s house, picked up the crowbar and called the potter’s wife. When she came out of the room in which she was hiding, he told her to watch and see if he was brave or not. Then he took the crowbar and bent it in a circle around her neck to form a collar. Afterwards, he went outside to face the outlaws. He fought bravely and soon drove them from the village. Everything returned to normal in the village. The Wagher and his wife lived peacefully in their house. But the potter’s wife was too ashamed to come to visit anymore. She wanted her husband to go to the Wagher and ask him to free her from the crowbar which still hung around her neck. He refused. One day, full of shame, the potter’s wife finally came to see the Wagherani in person. She was received with courtesy, and the Wagherani soon asked, “Why have you not visited all these days?” “Because I have been busy with my work”, replied the potter woman. “But could you please ask your husband to open this crowbar and free me of my burden?” “Oh, my friend,” replied the Wagherani, “that can’t be done at this time. My husband is inspired with such strength and valour only when the drums thunder and danger is at hand. When that time returns, you will be set free”. “But such things happen once in a lifetime!” lamented the potter’s wife. Create a story board based on the above story. The storyboard must include all the major events in the story. You will be evaluated for 1. Clarity and continuity in story. 2. Plot structure. 3. Visual continuity. 4. Point of view. 5. Character design.

Time limit

30 minutes

Marks

50

Source: CEED 2016 official question paper, IIT Bombay · official page