Kannada writer Chetana Thirthahalli

See the comic strips this Kannada writer is making for Kannadigas

The beauty of writing in vernacular is the range of words that native Indian languages offer which English doesn't

Sarayu Srinivasan| Friday, October 16, 2015 - 20:48

Image: A comic strip on double standards for women and men in India by Inedible India-La

    

“I have been writing for the last 25 years, yet I believe that a picture speaks more than words. In fact they give the reader more space to form individual opinions than when he/she is reading articles,” said 36-year-old Chetana Thirthahalli, who is a freelance journalist–turned-Kannada-comic- strip- artist.

Captivated by idea behind English comic strips of Arathi Parthasarathy and Chaitanya Krishnan’s brainchild -Royal Existential and Rajesh Rajamani’s Inedible India, Chetana wanted to do something similar for her fellow Kannadigas.

Inedible India, which was launched by Rajamani in August this year, was inspired by Royal Existentials that was launched in 2014. Both series of comic strips’ use vintage art, Indian paintings and imagery for political commentary. While Inedible India uses Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings Royal Existential uses art from the Mughal era.

 

Chetana Thirthahalli

“Apart from wanting to translate Rajamani’s comics in Kannada, I wanted bring out my own series, which would focus on issues that I personally feel strongly about. When I spoke to him, he said there were no copyrights and I could do anything as long as I took up authorship. That is how Inedible India-La was born,” said Chetana.

The core idea behind Royal Existentials and Inedible India ticked all the right boxes for Chetana, who writes columns for Mangaluru-based News Kannada and Bengaluru –based Agni under her sixth pen name Alavikaa La.

Double standards for judging men and women by Inedible India-La

She said:“Firstly, for Inedible India-La, I didn’t have to draw so it is time saving. More importantly using Indian paintings actually added native flavour to the work. It attracts people.”

Inedible India-La comic strips, which are published on Facebook with #Inedible_India_La, are not released periodically. “I write or make comic strips on issues as an when they surface,” she said.

Chetana, who publishes the comic strips under the pen name La (short-form of Alavikaa La), uses both Raja Ravi Varma paintings and vintage art in her comics.

Covering a range of topics from Indian politics to feminism

Dead against inhumane activities, Chetana, who calls herself a liberal, said, “I write out of experience and I am not bound by any socio-cultural thoughts or practices.”

However, she says that be it any form of writing, it can be called authentic only if the writer has personally faced or experienced.

On Dadri lynching by Inedible India-La

“I know what eve-teasing means, what domestic violence is like, how religion curbed the spirit of women and how religion divides people. I have seen all this and these have shaped my ideas,” she added

Issues that Chetana has covered in her comics include Dadri lynching, double-standards for women in Indian society, Hindi as national language, moral policing etc.

Beauty of Indian languages and art

Any Indian, who has widely read works from his/her native written in vernacular, would agree that expression in native language is more powerful and rich than when it is anglicised.

“The beauty of writing in vernacular is the range of words that native Indian languages offer. And this automatically enhances the quality of work,” said Chetana, whose works are all in Kannada.

However, she also agrees that her comics got better and more response than her articles ever got, especially from people who can only comprehend Kannada.

Views on Modi government

Satire and sarcasm are some of the most striking qualities of Chetana’s comic strips. One other quality which is apparent is that Chetana is highly critical about Narendra Modi government.

 “I don't agree or support Modi. This was after Godhra. Having observed his moves and political ideologies so far, he seems more like a CEO of India than a Prime Minister. His initiatives are focused on the corporate sector not for the common man,” said Chetana.  

Shaping perspectives

Chetana is a part of a group of writers who meet to discuss various issues in the state and country, which apart from helping her write columns also gives her ideas for the comics.

“We have some responsibility when it comes to striking a balance. Though we are budding writers, any statement we make can be very sensitive and they have the potential to create discord. We do have limitations and that is why I feel discussions are integral to any writer who wants to broaden his or her perspective,” she said.

Girl with Red Nose Ring

    

Art never really dies, it just takes newer forms.

 

For the Tamil literary scene, this internal exchange within various art forms is a ray of light on the horizon.

 

The recent release of a Tamil digital graphic novel, possibly the first in the language, is a boost not just for Tamil literature, but also for writers in other regional languages.

 

Called “Sivappu Kal Mookuthi” the book also has an English version titled “Girl With a Red Nose Ring”.

 

 

Its author, filmmaker JS Nandhini, is most popularly remembered for her hit romantic comedy movie “Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru” which was produced by Sathyam Cinemes and released in 2009.

 

Although she has been in love with comic books forever, it’s something that she had never tried before. “I’ve always fancied comic books. I have loved movies, especially Avengers. But I loved independent comics with real life human stories in them more” she says.

 

It was after her previous script (a supernatural thriller) failed to pick up two years ago, that she made a conscious decision to try this new medium. “There are no middlemen out here. So I can make sure it reaches the audience,” Nandhini says.

 

Getting the book ready was not without its difficulties. “We got a lot of criticism initially,” she says, adding that it helped her and her team to work on improving their standards.  “As a creator I cannot just sit back and wait for something to happen to me. I had to do something,” she says about the project that was completed it a month ago. 

 

Based out of Chennai, the 37 year-old is an alumnus of the Film Institute of Chennai. Her first film Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru was one of the first in India to be digitally shot. Now, she has gone one step further and made a digital trailer for the comic book, which can be viewed on her website. The two versions of the book are available for download. 

 

“I had to do something new to get the attention of readers,” she says adding that it is common practice for comic giants like Marvel and DC to make their own comic book trailers ahead of book releases.

 

Acknowledging that the diminishing print market was one of the reasons to avoid publishing a regular print comic book, Nandhini says: “Everything is going online now, and this is a bigger market.”

 

And she has bigger plans for her digital comic book. “I want to make it into a film,” she says claiming that if it did transpire with support, it would become the first comic book in India to be made into a film.

 

Comics into movies, movies into comics

 

JS Nandhini

 

The exchange has always been two-way. The list of comics characters have been turned into successful films is very long. It includes the latest 2015 superhero movie, Ant Man, which was first introduced in as a comics character way back in 1962. Others include the Avengers and Men in Blank, Alien vs Predator, Oblivion and The Mask.

 

A great example for the constant exchanges between various media of art is Game of Thrones. Originally a series of novels created by George R R Martin, the epic fantasy books have been equally successful as a hit TV series before and as graphic novels.

 

India is already home to its own creative space for upcoming talent in the comic industry with companies like Graphic India. Nandhini’s own inspiration has been Shekar Kapoor, a filmmaker who came up with the famous fictional character, Devi, which was published by Virgin Comics as a part of its Indian releases.

 

“Comics are made into books, and books into comics,” says Nandhini emphasizing on the vast market potential available. But she adds that this is a nascent genre in India that is still facing difficulties and needs more visibility and support in achieving the heights of creativity.

 

(Image courtesy: Girl with a red nose ring Facebook page)

Baahubali

Baahubali

After movie, now get set for Baahubali comics, novels and games

Through comics and animation, millions of fans will finally be able to experience secret stories and hidden legends about the world and characters from Baahubali

TNM Staff| Thursday, February 4, 2016 - 13:22

Image by arrangement

    

After the worldwide success of blockbuster film Baahubali, renowned filmmaker S S Rajamouli and Arka Media works announced a partnership with leading character entertainment company Graphic India on Wednesday.

To extend the world of Baahubali beyond movies, this partnership has been forged to launch the film into original comic books, novels, animation and video games.

“Extending the world of Baahubali beyond movies allows us to reach a larger audience and that is really exciting for me,” said director SS Rajamouli. “We are happy to be collaborating with Graphic India who I believe have the best knowledge and experience in this space”.

Film-maker S S Rajamouli

CEO of Arka Mediawork and producer of Baahubali, Shobu Yarlagadda said “Having created so many iconic stories and characters, there is no one more equipped than Graphic India, to take the story of Baahubali forward. We are very excited for what's to come.”

Graphic India and Arka are also working on a larger animated project, tentatively titled, “Baahubali: the Lost Legends,” which is being developed and produced by Rajamouli, Shobu Yarlagadda, and Graphic India Co-Founder Sharad Devarajan. More details on that project will be released in the coming months.

L-R Producer Shobu Yarlagadda, Film-maker S S Rajamouli and  CEO Graphic India Sharad Devarajan 

“The epic storytelling and ground-breaking visuals that S. S. Rajamouli created have captivated millions of fans including myself, and the future of Indian cinema shall now always be defined as ‘before Baahubali’ and ‘after Baahubali’, said Graphic India Co-Founder & CEO, Sharad Devarajan. “

''I am so deeply honoured and humbled to work with, and learn from Rajamouli, Shobu and the Arka team as we bring their epic world into comics, animation and gaming,” he added

Through comics and animation, millions of fans will finally be able to experience secret stories and hidden legends about the world and characters from Baahubali. 

Sudhir Tailang

His first cartoon was first published when he was 10: Adieu Sudhir Tailang

He was fighting brain cancer since 2014.

PTI| Saturday, February 6, 2016 - 19:37

    

Eminent cartoonist Sudhir Tailang, who chronicled contemporary Indian politics with wit and humour, died here today after battling brain cancer for over two years.

Tailang was under treatment for brain cancer since 2014 and breathed his last at his East Delhi residence in Mayur Vihar. He would have turned 56 on February 26 and is survived by his daughter and wife.

The cartoonist, who had worked in a number of newspapers including Hindustan Times, The Indian Express and Times of India, was admitted to Medanta Medicity hospital in Gurgaon in December but was brought home around a month ago.

Tailang was awarded Padma Shri in 2004. As a cartoonist, many politicians including Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Atal Behari Vajpayee, P V Narasimha Rao, Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi bore the brunt of his brush.

He was fighting brain cancer since 2014.

"However, after last Diwali, he started keeping unwell and was admitted to Medanta hospital. We brought him home in mid January when the doctors said there is nothing more they could do. He passed away at 1 PM today," said Aditi, Tailang's daughter.

Tailang, who was born in Rajasthan's Bikaner on Febnruary 26, 1960 had his first cartoon published in a newspaper at the age of 10 in 1970. It was in 1982, when he got his first major break in Illustrated Weekly of India, Mumbai.

As a child, Tailang was fascinated by comics such as Tintin, Phantom and Blondie which is known to have encouraged him to draw cartoons. He had his first cartoon published in a newspaper at the age of 10 in 1970.

In 1983, he joined the Navbharat Times in Delhi. For several years he was with the Hindustan Times and also worked for the Indian Express and The Times of India. Later, he worked for the Asian Age.

In 2009, he had come out with a book of cartoons titled "No, Prime Minister", which carried cartoons on Manmohan Singh drawn during first stint of his prime ministership.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi condoled the passing away of noted political cartoonist.

"Saddened at his untimely death, Gandhi said that his depiction of contemporary events through cartoons and fearless commitment to the right to artistic expression will be forever remembered," the AICC tweeted.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed grief over the passing away of Tailang. "Very sorry to hear about cartoonist Sudhir Tailang. Was a big fan of his tongue in cheek humour. May he rest in peace," Omar tweeted.