How a group of young Bengali creators turned retro gaming nostalgia into an experimental animation universe.

India’s independent animation and gaming industry is witnessing a new generation of creators experimenting beyond traditional filmmaking and commercial design. Among these emerging projects, one name has started gaining significant attention for its unique retro-inspired identity: SONARPUR.

A nostalgic multimedia project inspired by the legendary 32-bit Game Boy Advance (GBA) era, SONARPUR combines retro animation, pixel-style game aesthetics, Bengali storytelling, and indie game culture into a single, cohesive creative universe.

What makes SONARPUR truly special is its origin. It was not created by a major gaming studio; instead, it was independently conceptualized and developed by young multimedia creators from the Department of Multimedia and Animation at Brainware University, West Bengal.


What is SONARPUR?

SONARPUR is an experimental retro-style animation and indie game project that draws heavy inspiration from three core pillars:

  • Visuals: Classic Game Boy Advance graphics and 32-bit pixel-era aesthetics.

  • Atmosphere: A distinct, grounded Bengali suburban environment.

  • Culture: Retro cinematic storytelling infused with indie animation principles.

The project recreates the emotional charm of early handheld gaming systems while blending cinematic animation and regional storytelling. Unlike modern hyper-realistic CGI projects, SONARPUR intentionally embraces a limited-color retro grading, side-scrolling gaming composition, and sprite-inspired motion design.

It functions simultaneously as an experimental animated short, a promotional multimedia showcase, and a playable retro indie gaming experience.


The Minds Behind the Pixels

SONARPUR was collaboratively developed by a core creative team from Brainware University, with each contributor playing a distinct role in shaping the project’s identity.


Ankur Sarkar — Director & Visionary

Ankur Sarkar (3rd Year, 5th Semester) served as the primary visionary and director behind the entire concept. As a multimedia creator, VFX artist, and motion designer, Ankur developed the core visual identity, designed the retro cinematic style, and managed the creative storytelling approach. His direction focused heavily on merging game-inspired cinematic pacing with a distinct Bengali atmosphere.

Ankush Nath — Animation & Asset Development

Ankush Nath (2nd Year, 3rd Semester) contributed significantly to the animation production and pixel-style asset creation. His work on environmental elements and retro game-inspired visual assets helped shape the handcrafted, authentic appearance that defines SONARPUR’s aesthetic.


The Soundscape of Nostalgia

One of the most technically challenging aspects of a retro project is its audio. The entire music and sound design for SONARPUR was architected by Surjashis Patra.

In retro-style animation and pixel-era game aesthetics, sound design is essential for creating emotional immersion, gameplay rhythm, and environmental authenticity. Surjashis balanced old-school gaming vibes—using synthesized effects and minimalistic, loop-based structures—with modern cinematic storytelling. The careful synchronization between animation timing and sound layering helped make SONARPUR feel like a playable memory from the golden era of handheld gaming.


The Playable Experience: SONARPUR – The Game

Expanding beyond passive animation, the creators developed SONARPUR – The Game, an indie retro micro-game inspired by classic GBA platformers and pixel jump-and-dodge gameplay.

The game is officially available on Android through itch.io, a highly regarded platform for experimental games and independent developers. Publishing on itch.io allowed the team to expand the SONARPUR universe, reach dedicated indie gaming audiences, and experiment with interactive storytelling.

"A retro-style jump and dodge pixel game inspired by the 32-bit Game Boy Advance era." — Official itch.io Description


The Role of Brainware University

SONARPUR emerged from the Department of Multimedia and Animation under the School of Communication, Multimedia, and Film Studies at Brainware University. The department’s focus on practical multimedia execution, digital storytelling, and creative experimentation played a major role in providing the environment necessary for a project like SONARPUR to flourish.


Why SONARPUR Matters

SONARPUR represents a new kind of independent Indian multimedia creativity. It demonstrates how young creators can successfully merge gaming nostalgia, regional storytelling, and cinematic direction without relying on large-scale production studios or massive budgets.

Led by Ankur Sarkar, with major contributions from Ankush Nath and Surjashis Patra, SONARPUR is more than just a retro animation project. It is a celebration of pixel-era nostalgia, a Bengali cinematic experiment, and a strong showcase of the growing creative potential within India's indie multimedia landscape.


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