In recent times, Instagram has been a great platform for digital artists and animators to showcase their skills. The animated content on reels takes the child inside us down memory lane. No matter how old you are, you will stop your doom scrolling to watch animated reels. As the monsoon sets in, animators are welcoming the rains with animated reels. From childhood nostalgia to romanticising the rain as an adult, each reel portrays the season in animation. My Kolkata picks a few favourite and viral monsoon reels.
Paperboats ferrying memories
Remember the days when we would grab some paper just as it started raining? Little paper boats were created and when the rainfall was reduced to drizzles, the boats were launched in the puddles. And if the streets were waterlogged, the boats made a long journey. Our eyes would watch it sail till it was not visible anymore. Rekindling the sweet memories of our childhood, @neel.trivedi.art has a perfect representation of paper boats and rains.
Monsoon of a forgotten childhood
Sharing an umbrella with friends and crowding under it, ultimately getting drenched; running to the garden to collect ice pellets during a hailstorm; tackling a broken umbrella and securing it from the winds that want to snatch it away from you; jumping in puddles and getting the shoes and socks all wet. The list of rainy memories of our childhood can go on and on. If you are missing your childhood days, relive it with this animated reel by @anjan_ladki_23
Tea, pakora and monsoon
Indians have a particular kind of food for celebrating every occasion. Not just festivals, but we celebrate seasons, too, with food. And the food combination for monsoon evenings is chai and pakora. A rainy evening feels dull if there’s nothing to go with the chai. Mostly, it is fritters that the heart craves for! These can be any fritters. Any vegetable dipped in a batter of chickpea flour and fried in hot oil. We don't know who started this trend, but whoever did, fans of monsoon will be ever so grateful! @sakianimation has put this trend in a sweet animated reel. Check it out.
Monsoon bliss
It is true that romanticism for rainy days occurs only when you are indoors. The sound of the rain, the smell of the chai, pakora or roasted corn cob and lazing on the couch relishing all these make for a perfect rainy day relaxation. Hang around with your loved ones and watch your favourite TV show or just stare outside the window watching the rain pour down. And of course, petrichor adds to the romanticism. Featuring all this and more, @csdoodle.noodle’s animation evokes the bliss of staying at home on a rainy day.
Clothes here, there and everywhere
Now comes the worst thing about the monsoon. After a prolonged phase of rainy days, all we want is a few hours of sunshine just to get our clothes dry. Laundry is a real problem during the monsoon. The balcony, bedroom and sometimes even the living room turns into a laundry room with clothes hanging from ropes. The hair dryers blow-dry the clothes more than it dries our hair. Here’s all that trouble in a reel by @the_blue_frenchhorn.
Showing kindness in rain
Lastly, here’s a sweet message of kindness from animator @doodlerdora. Monsoon will last a few more weeks and while we sit back and relax, or venture out all protected and dry, our little furry friends are out there. Stray animals often find it difficult to find shelter, food and clean water during the monsoon. If you have a little space in your portico or garden, let them take some shelter. Give them some food and water. Be kind and enjoy the monsoon even more.