Drama, cinema, music, films, drawing and sound - it’s a collaboration of all arts. That’s the beauty of animation and the way it brings to life its colourful characters,’’ Satjit Singh Matharu enjoys the cool breeze and settles on the bench in the shade at the Museum. The screening of his 2D animation film, Satyakriya, has just finished and he utilizes the time to tell us more about his fascinating world. ‘‘Computer’s just another tool in animation,’’ he points out, trying to save the dying breed of 2D animators and films. Here as part of the Kala Maitri, the college alumni association, this ex-student who is now running his own studio, Dreamcatcher Animation in Canada, Satjit feels that India still has to catch up with the world. ‘‘There is a lot of time difference,’’ he says. But it’s the glorious Indian mythology, rich culture and history that enchants Satjit to draw and visualise his animated characters. ‘‘Like Satyakriya was an episode from Asoka’s life. Indian subjects are best for 2D animations, and there is a lot of depth in our culture that can be brought out,’’ he speaks of the winning edge. While he moves on to watch his coursemate’s film, city-base former students Amarjit Virdi and Jagdish Singh join us. An artist essentially, Jagdish is employed with the Bhakra Beas Management Board. So naturally, apart from all his still photography and telefilms, the man is obsessed with filming the Bhakra Dam. And the same screened today. ‘‘It’s the highest dam with an excellent environment and network, so makes for a good subject,’’ he says. But what about the artist in him? ‘‘Well, all professions are okay. You just have to find your passion in it.’’ Amarjit Virdi found it in the Sikh history, art and culture. He paints, and animates. ‘‘My film Sahibzade was screened today,’’ he tells us, working on Rise of Khalsa and Maharaja next. ‘‘Animation is a difficult field to break in in India, because there is no formal education as such and this is basically an American form of art. They started motion in art while we are good narraters...India has a lot of stories to tell,’’ he talks about the medium of tomorrow while Mumbai-based director Jagmeet Bal catapults us to the medium of today - television. ‘‘Soon, it will be films for me,’’ beams this huge film buff, busy directing Punjabi music videos these days. ‘‘I started with Zee, did couple of shows and ad films,’’ says this former student of applied art and commercial designing. ‘‘No one actually knows who is the director in a serial, but it’s evident in videos and films,’’ he observes, all set to start work on four film projects, including an ‘‘intelligent’’ film like Harry Potter for children. ‘‘A director has the choice to do what he wants to, and a writer is at the root of all things. So, acting is out for me,’’ he grins, happy being the captain of the ship. Bon voyage and catch the Kala Maitri’s art exhibition featuring works of alumni from September 6 to 11 at the Panjab University Museum of Fine Art.