What is Desi Oon and How does it make a difference?
Desi Oon is a carefully curated stop-motion animation that recently won the prestigious Jury Award for Best Commissioned Film at the Annecy International Animation Festival 2025 which was a moment of immense pride for India and a win that deserves to be celebrated.
This beautifully crafted short film tells the story of Deccani wool through a musical narrative that’s both engaging and thought-provoking.
It begins with how this unique wool is sourced from a rare breed of Deccani black sheep, native to specific regions in India. What sets this story apart is not just the wool itself, but the journey of its preservation and revival, all led by a wise and compassionate man named Baalu Mama. He realized the immense potential in breeding these indigenous sheep and how their wool could power numerous small businesses across the country.
As the film progresses, it highlights a shocking paradox: while India produces 40 million tonnes of wool every year, it still imports around 80 million tonnes, simply because 32 million tonnes of our own Desi Oon gets discarded. The reasons? Neglect, lack of awareness, and systemic disregard for homegrown resources.
Directed by the visionary Suresh Eriyat and brought to life by Studio Eeksaurus, Desi Oon is the result of tireless dedication by a talented team of artists, including Aman Gupta, Maithili Desai, Utkarsh Bankar, Sanjay Patkar, and many others. Their combined efforts have turned this story into a beautiful cinematic experience.
The film dives deep into pressing issues such as:
- Neglect of Indigenous Wool
- Decline of Pastoral Communities
- Environmental Waste and Unsustainability
- Identity Crisis of ‘Desi’ Resources
Desi Oon is a gentle yet powerful reminder of how authenticity is fading in an era driven by mass industrialization and westernized lifestyles. The essence and cultural richness of locally produced goods are getting lost in the noise, often overshadowed by globalized, homogenous products that dominate the market.
More About the Director: Who Is Suresh Eriyat?
Suresh Eriyat, the creative force behind Desi Oon, was born in Kerala in 1973. He went on to earn a degree in Communication Design, specializing in Animation Film Design, from the prestigious National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad in 1997.
After working on a wide range of animation and design projects in the early stages of his career, Eriyat took a significant leap in 2009 by co-founding Studio Eeksaurus alongside his wife Nilima Eriyat. The studio quickly gained popularity because of their honest and unique storytelling style, spanning advertisements, short films, music videos, and cinematic storytelling that’s both emotionally rich and visually distinct.
Over the years, Suresh Eriyat has directed more than 400 films, earning over 200 national and international awards. His relentless passion, creativity, and vision have not only made waves in India but have also earned global admiration.
Eriyat is widely regarded as a Revolutionary in Indian animation, known for his signature style of combining traditional Indian themes with modern, innovative animation techniques. His deep commitment to meaningful storytelling, creative mentorship, and pushing the boundaries of what animation can achieve has solidified his place as one of the most influential voices in the industry today.
The journey of Desi Oon and its creator, Suresh Eriyat, reminds us that the path to success is rarely linear or easy. But when we commit to our vision and persevere through the challenges, the results are rewarding indeed. It’s about trusting the process, standing by your roots, and staying resilient even when the odds feel overwhelming.
