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Hi Kickstarter,

I'm Adnan Hussain, and I need your help to create a feature length puppet film called "Risalo".

"Risalo" is an adaptation of sufi poetry by Shah Latif. In the 1700's he combined local folk tales with themes of love, social justice and a celebration of his native Sindhi culture. My background is in animation. I've worked in feature animation and visual effects.

I want to leverage those skills to combine Rajasthani puppetry from India with Sindhi folk music from Pakistan and create a brand new cinematic experience to tell the stories of Shah Latif. This will be a film with traditional puppetry. I'm adding things like animation style staging, and cinematography, but rather than alter the warmth and beauty of puppetry, I want to showcase it.

The most important thing here is to support these puppeteers and musicians. If we don't create new projects with these traditions we are at risk of losing them. If these artists can't make a living with their art they are less likely to hand it down to future generations. I want to make sure that this art is shown as being relevant to today, and is showcased in new art forms to new audience around the world. With your help, we can make that happen.

Risalo concept art (available as prints and original paintings)

Shah Latif's poetry will form the narration of this film. In adapting it, I chose three main stories from his work, as well as a few smaller vignettes as connecting pieces. The stories include that of Bijal, a musician who confronted a king, Sohni, a young woman who risked everything for love, and an allegory on social justice played out in a battle between a peacock and a cobra.

I started with a book of Shah Latif's poetry and my imagination. Since then I've been fortunate to be able to bring aboard a few amazing collaborators. I met a puppeteer named Rajesh in Rajasthan a few years ago. I was struck not only by his skill as a puppeteer, but by the variety of puppets in his shop and his passion for the art.

I created brand new designs for puppets.

Bijal concept art for Risalo (available as wallpaper)

Surando concept art from Risalo. (available as wallpaper)

Sorath concept art from Risalo (available as wallpaper)

On the music end of things we have the Girnari Jogi Group. I've worked with them before, on an animated film called "Gul" and on a music album benefiting them. Thanks to the Institute of Sindhology and their support, I'll be able to create excellent recordings of all the musicians involved in the project. In addition to the Jogis, I'll be able to reach out to other Sindhi folk musicians and create a really good sampling of Sindhi folk music for the soundtrack of "Risalo".

Girnari Jogi Group CD/DVD combo (available as reward)

Gul DVD/CD Combo (available as reward)

The musicians who work on "Risalo", will also benefit from recordings of an entire album of their work, that I will put together in much the way I did the Girnari Jogi Group album, with all proceeds going to support the musicians in the future. Thank you so much for your support. Every bit helps. If you can't afford to meet any of these rewards, share this project with people who might enjoy it. Thank you.

Art of Music Paintings (available as prints and some as original paintings)

Additional rewards include a selection of prints and original paintings from my gallery show, the "Art of Music", featuring Central and South Asian music.

Art of Music Instruments (available as prints and some as original paintings)