A Pixar animator who has worked with many movies like Toy Story 2, The Incredibles, A Bug’s Life; his work has even appeared on shows like The Simpsons. Keeping by his Hindu heritage, he has even produced a number of picture storybooks depicting Hindu Mythology in a very contemporary manner.
Sanjay found it very difficult to be a Hindu living in America. Forced into practising the religion while he lived with his parents, it always felt like a chore to him. It was the legends of Hindu mythology that always enthralled him. And that’s what got him started with creating Indian deity inspired work.
In one of his books, The Little book of Hindu Deities, Sanjay has profiled 50 gods and goddesses and captured their essence in a humourous yet respectful manner. He has also sketched the Ramayana in his Ramayana: The Divine Loophole, a retelling of the famous epic, with captivating graphic art. He admits that Vishnu is one of his favourites Gods. Lord Vishnu has slept on a bed of snakes, been reincarnated many times—all this boggles his mind and fuels his imagination.
It’s not just Gods who inspire him. On October 2011, Sanjay Patel held an exhibition called Maharaja to display his artworks at the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco. He brought to life the Kings of India, in his own signature pop art style. “It’s kind of weird to be here. One would expect a Woody or a Mr. Incredible to be here,” he was quoted as saying.