11 TCU Presents . . . 03: New Comics Intro–Indya Comics-Bringing Back the Classics in Comics Form

Dear ComiRades,

Welcome back to TCU in a short from. For the last 2-3 months, it has become a habit to be non-existent for the 1st half of the month and posting in the 2nd half of the month. The same trend is continuing for this month also. Hopefully from the next month onwards, we may see this being reversed. We have been introducing many-a-new comic book for our readers and the response for the same is also encouraging. Hence we are bringing one more comics series for the ComiRades.

About one month ago, When Yours truly was going through the Landmark book shop, this particular comics was spotted. Initially only 3 books were available on the shelf and later on, the next week TCU received a call from the book shop and was informed about the availability of the next 2 books from the series. It helps to have friends across all shops. since the book series presented a refreshing theme, TCU was much interested in them. Later on, when getting to know about the creators and the concept of the books, it was decided that this has to be posted in TCU.

Indya Comics – The Concept: We would have known about the classic novels of our region and though they are great literary experience, the present generation may not enjoy reading them. The same is the case with all parts of the world where the Gen Y is no longer interested in reading a Lots of pages, continuously. This has been compensated by Classics illustrated in the western countries. Even in India, we had Amar Chitra Katha’s which were more on to Mythological and historical events rather than Classic stories from our own. Mr B.S.Raghu Ram (The Smart looking gentleman in the picture with the very 1st Indya Comics in IPod) is a keen reader of History and the trends in the media. He initiated the concept of bringing back the classics of our own in comics form to the present generation and with huge investment, he has successfully launched the titles. For a man who manages the Bangalore Book Fair successfully, this might seem little bit easy.

Once he envisioned the project, he went on like a juggernaut and came out with, lets say, flying colours. Here are the salient features of Indya Comics:

• Indya Comics is an innovative literary project which envisages adopting well known novels of 8 Indian Languages in Comics form.
• The basic theme is to revive, restart and reboot the reading habits among public (student fraternity in particular) through comics.
• Their story telling format is very simple: 6 panels per page in A-4 size off 32 pages. That’s it – You’ve done with a classic novel.
• Currently they have adopted 42 best selling novels into comics and they are keen to connect the reader to the literary heritage.
• So far they have come out with 10 Kannada classic novels & 7 Hindhi Best sellers in Comics format.
• Very soon, classics from other languages like Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi & Bengali will be published in graphic form.

Indya Comics – Sandhya Raaga – Review: On the day yours truly received the 1st set of 3 books, the 2nd one was something with a X factor. Later on with some data from TCU’s Kannada literary friend (Of the same Namesake), TCU came to know more about the giant from the Kannada literary world who is fondly called as ANAKRU. AND this would not have been made possible if not for Indya comics. Yours truly finished the book in rocket speed and though the story looked little bit anachronistic with the present date, it was a real classic of the good old 60’s & 70’s. Had it been made as a movie in Tamil with the late Murali in the lead, it would have been his best film, instead of Idhayam. For those, who want action and romance in the stories, this is not your cup of tea and can still give it a go just to know how Anakru weaved his magic amongst the readers.

Though the end was a tad predictable, it was a pleasant reading experience of the good old days and the happiness was multiplied in two folds for the medium being in Comics. The artwork by Gujjarappa is OK & the English translation is also commendable (Dr M.V.Rajeshwari). However, the translator’s job was made much easier by R.C.Haralapura who scripted the comics format from such a lengthy novel into 32 pages. Hats off to the creative team and the consultants who are involved in the making of this book. The captain of the ship (Raghuram) must not be forgotten in a hurry for he is the one who envisioned such a wonderful project. On the whole, the book is a good read and the only place of improvement can be placed in the artwork department. That is also on the fact that Yours truly has grown up with some of the best artists works.

Indya Comics Issue No 2 Sandhya Raaga Cover	Indya Comics No 2 Sandhya Raaga Story Synopsis	Indya Comics Issue No 2 Sandhya Raaga 1st Page
Indya Comics Issue No 2 Sandhya Raaga Last Page	Indya Comics Issue No 2 Sandhya Raaga Credits	Indya Comics Issue No 2 Sandhya Raaga Author intro

Other Kannada Classics: The other Kannada classics are listed out here with the cover images and the story synopsis and Author introductions. Out of the 10 Kannada classics which were rebooted in Comics format, 5 of them are available for sales in Chennai Landmark showroom and Yours truly grabbed them with glee in the eye. Thanks to Indya comics we have an opportunity to read the much acclaimed Beechi’s works, albeit in translated comics format. As it is said, a rose in any other language would have smelt the same and beechi’s works would have been great in any other translated language.

Indya Comics Issue No 1 April 2011 Madhavi	Indya Comics Issue No 1 Madhavi Synopsis Page	Indya Comics Issue No 1 Madhavi Author intro

Indya Comics Issue No 3 Aarida Chaha Cover	Indya Comics Issue No 3 Aarida Chaha Synopsis	Indya Comics Issue No 3  Aarida Chaha Author Intro

Indya Comics Issue No 4 Dollar Sose Cover	Indya Comics Issue No 4 Dollar Sose Synopsis	Indya Comics Issue No 4 Dollar Sose Author Intro

Indya Comics Issue o 5  Doorada Betta Cover	Indya Comics Issue o 5 Doorada Betta Synopsis	Indya Comics Issue o 5 Doorada Betta Author Intro

Other Kannada Classics – Not Available in Chennai: Apart from the above mentioned 5 Indya comics, there are about 5 other books which are advertised in the site but not available for sale in Chennai. These are some of the better known works and TCU is keen to have them in the collection. Have a close look at the titles and the fantastic se of creators behind them. These are definitely worth buying.

Indya Comics Kannada Classic Novel Series Issue No 6 Anathe	Indya Comics Kannada Classic Novel Series Issue No 7 Oddu
Indya Comics Kannada Classic Novel Series Issue No 8 Subbanna	Indya Comics Kannada Classic Novel Series Issue No 9 Chandragiriya Tiradalli
Indya Comics Kannada Classic Novel Series Issue No 10 Chandravalliya Thota

Indya Comics – Hindhi Classics: Though very good with the language, TCU hasn’t read a single novel in Hindhi so far. Indya comics will vie to break that record. The fantastic set of novels in our much loved comics format makes even a non reader to buy one of these and have a go. If this is not the compelling reason (The entire story being told in comics form), then nothing in the world is a reason for the same. Though 7 books are advertised, only 6 of them are available in their site.

Indya Comics Hindhi Novel Series Issue No 1 April 2011 Godhan Cover	Indya Comics Hindhi Novel Series Issue No 2 April 2011 Usne Kaha Thaa
Indya Comics Hindhi Novel Series Issue No 3 April 2011 Chithralekha	Indya Comics Hindhi Novel Series Issue No 4 April 2011 Nirmala
Indya Comics Hindhi Novel Series Issue No 6 April 2011 Jungle Tantram	Indya Comics Hindhi Novel Series Issue No 7 April 2011 Tamas

Media Coverage: However good a product is, if it is not advertised and promoted well, it may not be a sure success. A Die hard ComiRade will definitely identify this comics and may buy them. However, the target audience (the non-reading student fraternity) has to be forced to have a look at these books and for that you require a lot of media space. Raghuram has done that very well and they have a lot of coverage in Times of India, Samyukta Karnataka, Prajavani, DNA, etc and also in Television channels. Among such, here is a sample interview of the same.

Indya Comics Home Page Link: Indya Comics.com

Indya Comics in Face Book: Indya Comics in FB

Well, that's all for the time being. As usual, post your comments in the comments section. For those who want to Pen their thoughts in Tamil, Kindly Use the Option Provided in the Widget in the Blog.

Thanks & Regards,

King Viswa.