The new identity of city’s premier institute for design education – DJ Academy of Design (DJAD) was unveiled on Thursday by Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu, Chairman and Managing Director, LMW and award-winning Indian Animation icon Suresh Eriyat during the inaugural edition of a key talk series ‘Let’s Talk! In Kovai’ hosted by Mani Higher Secondary School.

Renowned animation filmmaker Suresh Eriyat took part as the chief guest of the logo-reveal event and the inaugural of the talk series. Lalitha Devi Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu, Trustee, GKD Charity Trust; Vydianathan Ramaswami, Dean, DJAD; Michael, Member of Governing Council, DJAD, Sarita Sundar, Academic Advisor, DJAD, Rahul Kamath, Chair and Neil Kikani, Past Chair from Young Indians (Yi)and many other special invitees, distinguished individuals from academia and industry, students took part in the event.

The event is presented by DJ Academy of Design, supported by the LMW Group, and organised in partnership with Young Indians (Yi), Coimbatore Chapter, under the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Lalitha Devi Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu while welcoming the gathering spoke about the significance of the new identity.

“Since its inception, DJ Academy of Design has been a dynamic institution. “We have grown, adapted and matured,”. We felt it was time for our external identity to reflect our internal evolution. The new look is not mere a cosmetic change. It symbolises our renewed energy and our commitment to staying relevant. Our founding vision was to bring the best of design education to India and our new identity is a pledge to continue that mission with even greater vigour,” she said.

Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu in his address said that this gathering of the academy industry at the inaugural of ‘Lets Talk! In Kovai’ series is an incredible one, and this platform will be used to transfer knowledge, share ideas and also create innovation in communities.

Talking about design education and innovation, he said the purpose of DJ academy of Design is to impart design knowledge amongst our student community and play a role that will accelerate the make in India movement.

He further said that India is a large economy in the global scale, today the 4th largest, and we are set to grow as the 3rd largest amidst headwinds ahead. One of the most important parts in this journey is not just manufacturing but innovation. Design is the fundamentals of innovation and we need a lot more of that in our country. We need to be very innovative if we need to win the race, he mentioned.

Prior to the event, a press conference was held and it saw Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu, Suresh Eriyat and Lalitha Devi Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu addressing the press and media.

Sursh Eriyat who has been the creative mind behind 600 films, has won 100+ national and international awards, including the Annecy Festival Cristal Award (2015) – the first ever for India – for Fateline. He has also received three National Film Awards from the President of India for Fisherwoman & Tuk Tuk (2016), Tokri (2018), and Kandittund! (2022). His latest film, Desi Oon, won the Annecy Award 2025.

When he was asked about the reason for choosing animation to tell stories, at the press conference, he said “ I wanted to tell stories using animation and bring about a change. India is a treasure house of stories. In every language and every culture we have so many stories which no other country has.”

“India has such a diversity. I always believe that we have so many folktales mythology and stories that we can bring all of the animation the world would accept it.”

“It is a dream that I have been working on to actually create India as a superpower in animation, and I am steadily working towards it, working with more educational institutions, to empower and to bring talented animation filmmakers who could make a big difference in our country. I really believe now it is a possibility that India can become a superpower in animation.”

He also spoke about how Japan toppled giants in animation.

Through the power of storytelling and animation, Japan created anime first for themselves. Their work eventually made their country world famous for animation. Japan today has taken over an animation giant like Disney which started way before them. This is the power of storytelling.

India is a treasure house of stories and talent. At least half of our Indian population is under 25 years. 33% is under 18 years of age. Imagine what we could achieve if we make our people love animation and our stories.

When he was asked about A.I.s impact in animation field, he said A.I. is a great tool. If you are not learning it, if you are complacent, then those few may be taken over by it. It is better to learn it so we can do much better. It needs thought – leadership, and that doesn’t happen from A.I. So it is better to look at A.I. as an aid.

Handmade still has value and that value has to be nurtured and protected. So A.I., will mechanize a lot of things but knowing it and understanding what you can do with your own capacity, putting your own self is important. It will give A.I. the heart that it misses.

As a part of the inaugural edition of Let’s Talk! In Kovai series, Suresh Eriyat delivered an excellent presentation on the topic ‘Local Stories, Global Conversations’.

He shared his life’s story and also presented short clips from his films that are rooted in local stories, inspirations, tales and talents. He said local definitely has a global appeal when the stories are said with imagination and heart.