Overview
Diageo India, under its Godawan Estuary Premium Water brand, launched The Godawan, a handcrafted stop‑motion short film during World Wildlife Week to spotlight the Great Indian Bustard, locally known as Godawan, which was once a contender for India’s national bird and now enjoys a dedicated celebration day on May 21.
Conservation Milestones
Since the brand’s inception in 2022, its conservation narrative has progressed through several milestones: in 2023 the "Godawan 100" campaign marked the bird’s population reaching 100 individuals; in 2024 the "Durbar" platform celebrated Rajasthan’s culture, music, food and craft; in 2025 the "Godawan 173: The Collector’s Edition" highlighted a rise to 173 birds through 173 individually crafted bottles inspired by Jaipur Blue Pottery; and earlier this year the bird’s revival was projected onto the Qutub Minar on World Environment Day.
Film Production Details
The film was directed and conceptualised by the agency 22feet and McCann India, part of Omnicom Advertising India, in collaboration with Studio Eeksaurus, one of India’s most awarded animation studios. It blends handcrafted stop‑motion, 2D animation and live‑action, involving more than 100 artists and craftspeople. Over eight months, the visual world was built from more than 5,200 individual ceramic pieces modeled after Jaipur Blue Pottery; each piece was physically made, arranged and photographed by hand, accounting for approximately 15,000 hours of labour.
Music and Sound Design
The original score was created by Oscar‑winning sound designer Resul Pookutty, Grammy‑winning percussionist Taufiq Qureshi, and national‑award‑winning composer Rajat Dholakia. The composition draws on Rajasthani folk traditions and employs regional instruments such as the Ravanahatha and Morchang.
Executive Commentary
Chief Marketing Officer Ruchira Jaitly stated that the film embodies Diageo’s long‑standing support for Godawan’s conservation and showcases a craft form on the brink of disappearance, emphasizing that “in a time when almost anything can be created in seconds, we chose to take the time to make this by hand.” Co‑Founder and Director of Studio Eeksaurus, Suresh Eriyat, highlighted the painstaking yet rewarding nature of using Jaipur Blue Pottery to tell the bird’s story. Chief Creative Officer of McCann India, Rahul Mathew, noted that the project required a village‑like effort, mirroring the collective work needed for conservation.
Diageo India Profile
Diageo India, a subsidiary of Diageo Plc., is listed on the NSE and BSE as United Spirits Limited (USL). Headquartered in Bengaluru, it operates 35 manufacturing facilities across India and markets a portfolio that includes premium whisky, rum, gin, vodka and other spirits such as Johnnie Walker, Black Dog, Smirnoff, Ketel One, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan and the artisanal single‑malt Godawan. The company emphasizes positive societal impact through initiatives in livelihood improvement, grain‑to‑glass sustainability, responsible consumption and ecosystem development.
Availability
The film is available for viewing on YouTube and Instagram via the links provided in the press release.