MUMBAI: Close on the heels of 'Toonz Webel' which 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 leading dailies 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, Kolkatta will be the institute's third centre.

On being asked about its new centre, ZICA director animation division Rajiv Sangari says, " 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 adds, " 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.