Close on the heels of TOONZ which along with WEBEL (West Bengal Electronics Industry Development Corporation Ltd ) recently set up the first animation school in the north east, Padmalaya ZICA (Zed institute of creative arts) has announced the opening of its Kolkatta branch.

In an advertisement inserted in major newspapers across the country, the institute invited applications for its new batch going to class early august. Having trained over 600 students since its inception in 1995 and with branches already operating in Hyderabad and Mumbai, Kolkata will be the institute's third centre.

On being asked about its new centre, ZICA's Rajiv Sangari said that " We have been considering opening up a branch in Kolkatta for quite some time now, we believe that there is a lot of art and culture in Bengal which holds immense potential for the animation industry"

Set over 4,000 sq. feet, the institute shall boast of machines based on state of the art G5 Mac platform and software like MAYA, Shake and FCP.

Sangari further added that " In response to our ad, on the first day itself we have received 450 calls, that too on a Sunday." The total seats open are 160 with 50 each for Kolkatta and Hyderabad and 60 for Mumbai.