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Tin Tin, Asterix, Spiderman, Superman, Archie, Garfield,
Calvin and Hobbes...In India we rely on such comics from western countries. Very few
comics with Indian themes and subjects are produced. Except perhaps Amar Chitra Katha
and Indrajal Comics. Or of course Chacha Chowdhry. Comics or storytelling through
pictures goes back much beyond our memories to more than 3000 years. The first comic
strip, Max and Mortiz, however appeared in 1865.
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 A new series in India is Vivalok Comics published by The
Viveka Foundation, an organisation that disseminates information on alternative ways of
living and learning. What's unique about this series is that it focuses on the smaller
communities of India. On their folklore, legends, wisdom.
The comics are a refreshing change from a
homogenous world where everyone drinks the same drink, wears the same clothes and perhaps
thinks the same thoughts. Roama, an eighteen-year-old, apart from being the mascot,
is our guide through the books. A lot of the words are kept in the original language with
the meanings as footnotes. |
 The Santhals, Madh Pradesh, The Sunderbans, are
three which have been released. Each comic is the combined effort of a person who knows
the community well and one or more artist. As you go through the stories, you see how
ecology is intimately connected to the culture and tradition of a community.Expensively
produced, and very colourful, these books are meant for people of all ages, young and old.
The only drawback is, priced at Rs 125 and Rs 95, the books might prove to be too
expensive for many.
Publisher:
The Viveka Foundation, 25 C, DDA Flats, Shapurjat, New Delhi - 110049 |
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