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#021: Finding Your Artistic Voice When Cultural Expectations Say Otherwise With Mukund Kuntimad
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What happens when your passion collides with cultural expectations? Mukund Kuntimad's journey from computer science student to professional animator reveals the transformative power of persistence and creative community.
Growing up with Indian immigrant parents in Texas, Mukund faced the subtle pressure many children of immigrants know well—the unspoken expectation to pursue "practical" careers. His story isn't about rebellion, but rather the gradual unfolding of artistic identity through unwavering dedication. After completing a computer science degree he didn't love, Mukund's unexpected acceptance to Don Bluth University—the animation school founded by the creator of "Land Before Time"—marked his first major breakthrough.
The pandemic became another pivotal moment when Mukund discovered Rochester Institute of Technology's animation program. Moving away from his childhood home created the psychological space to fully embrace his identity as an animator. "I'm tired of saying I'm a guy who does art," he reflects. "I'm an animator—that is who I am." As the only male in his graduate animation class, he found himself part of a shifting demographic in a traditionally male-portrayed industry, yet discovered that in creative communities, such differences fade against the shared passion for animation.
Mukund's wisdom about creative growth resonates beyond animation: "You're going to fail more than you succeed. But that one success you get from all those failures—that will be well worth it." His experience reminds us that finding our creative tribe can make all the difference in sustaining our artistic journey, and that sometimes, as he puts it, "We don't choose art. Art chooses us."
Have you found your creative community yet? Listen to Mukund's story and consider how connecting with fellow creatives might transform your own artistic journey.
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Chapters
1. Finding Animation Despite Cultural Expectations (00:00:00)
2. Meeting Makund: Animator and Storyteller (00:08:40)
3. Cultural Perspectives on Creative Careers (00:14:00)
4. Accepting Identity as an Animator (00:21:44)
5. Finding Community in Creative Spaces (00:26:49)
6. Learning Humility and Continuous Growth (00:31:53)
7. Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts (00:40:15)
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