10 TCU Presents. . . 05: New Comics Intro - Pictures of melody-M.S.Subbulakshmi:Queen of Song-Graphic Novel Review

Dear ComiRades,

Welcome back to TCU. Since last week, TCU was eagerly waiting for a new Graphic Novel/Comics. Of late, TCU is introducing certain new Comics series which are going to be translated in Tamil Language in the near future. In this series, we are going to see a new kind of Comics from Chennai itself. Yes sir, we are talking about a new imprint from Chennai.

Necessity is the mother of all inventions is an old saying. Here in the present day, we can say that Necessity is the mother of a New Publication. Way is that? To know more, read on and complete this post on a wonderful initiative from a wonderful Lady.

Those who live in Chennai or Have an ear for music will be familiar with the Name Ms Lakshmi Devnath (Here is the link to her Website: http://lakshmidevnath.com/). She has written more than 200 articles and research features on Carnatic music in leading publications like The Hindu & Sruti (India’s premier magazine for the performing arts). For some time, she was working on a Biography on the legendary musician M.S.Subbulakshmi. She then decided to give it in a form that will be easy to read even for the kids, for they are the ones who have an avid interest in learning Carnatic music. Once she decided that the story will be told in Comics format, she tried for the publishers. However, when there was no push from any of the present set of publishers, she decided to take it on her own and launched her own publishing house “Heritage Publishing House”. The 1st ever book from this newly launched publishing house is the biography of M.S.Subbulakshmi titled as Queen of Song. Here are the cover images of the lovely book. If the cover images look stunning and familiar at the same time, it is because our beloved artist Aras has worked on the cover image and made so lovely. Of course the back ground images are from the book itself.

Heritage Press Picture of Melody 01 MS Subbulakshmi Dated June 2011 Cover	Heritage Press Picture of Melody 01 MS Subbulakshmi June 2011 Inner Cover

If the cover image was so stunning and eye capturing, the inner works by artist G.Sekar are also good. Here are the sample images from the 1st and last pages of the book. Kindly look at the 1st page last panel artwork. it is so stunning that you are tempted to say that MS is looking at you. At the same time, one must say that drawing and drawing for comics are two different things and here is where sekar found wanting. Of course, this is also where legendary artists of the calibre of Maniyam selvam have been found wanting. The inexperience in drawing comics is shown in other panels. One must say that, with experience of drawing many comics stories, Sekar will be a world class Comics/Graphic Novel artist.

Heritage Press Picture of Melody 01 MS Subbulakshmi June 2011 Story 1st Page	Heritage Press Picture of Melody 01 MS Subbulakshmi June 2011 Story Last Page

Of Course, this book is not a work of accidental planning. It is the first amongst many. Here are certain other stories which are about to be launched very soon by the very same publishing house. In the last cover, we have the picture of Ms Lakshmi Devnath and her profile. It must be noted that this book comes with a Wonderful A4 Size photograph of M.S.Subbulakshmi and what more, it is signed by her as well. Of course, that scan is not included here and you need to buy this wonderful book to have a look into that signed photograph.

Heritage Press Picture of Melody 01 MS Subbulakshmi Dated June 2011 Inner Cover Forthcoming Issues Annex	Heritage Press Picture of Melody 01 MS Subbulakshmi June 2011 Back Cover

Book Review: When TCU read the articles about the book in leading news papers, the eagerness to buy these books was unmatched. Hence TCU visited certain bookshops and when found wanting on the info of the availability of the same, TCU has sent a mail to the author on the same. You wont believe, not only the wonderful lady made a personal call on the whereabouts of the book, she also made sure that TCU got the book very soon. TCU thanks the wonderful gesture from the renowned author.

Once the book was available, TCU was ready to write a review of the book. However, after reading the wonderfully penned article from Carnatic Darbar, TCU decided that this review exemplifies the book in a much better way and hence the same review is produced over here. Have a read guys,

Excellent Book Review By Sudha Jagannadhan in Carnatic Darbar on 20th June 2011: Article Available in http://carnaticdarbar.com/news/201101/20110620.asp

Articles in Leading Magazines/News Papers: The reception for the book is seen to be believed. Each and every one who had a glimpse on the book has got only better things to say. Here are some of the articles which have appeared within a weeks time. TCU believes that many more will be following these.

The Hindu - Chennai Edition – News Paper Dated 17062011 - Friday Review Section - Page 01 - Book Review - Melody in Pictures 01 – M.S Subbulakshmi

Deccan Chronicle - Chennai Edition – News Paper Dated 17062011 - Page 02 - Book Review - Pictures of Music – Heritage Press – M.S.Subbulakshmi

Anantha Vikatan Tamil Weekly - Issue Dated 29062011 - Vikatan Jannal Section – Page No 96 - Book Intro - Heritage Press M.S.Subbulakshmi Graphic Biography

Possibility of the Book in Tamil?: When discussing to the author, TCU has raised the question on the possibility that this wonderful book being available in Tamil Language. Ms Lakshmi Devnath instantly said that she is open to the idea and once this book is welcomed by the readers, she will definitely consider the option of publishing the same in Tamil Language. So guys, if you want to see this wonderful book in Tamil language, show your support by buying this right now. Here are the places where you can buy these books presently.

Giri Trading Agency New No 14/,Old No 10, Kapaleswarar Sannidhi Street, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004.	Sukra Musicals No 12, North Mada Street, Mylapore, Chennai 600004.	The Carnatic Music Book Centre No 23A ,Sripuram 1st Street, Royapettah, Chennai 600014.
New Book Lands No 52c, Basement North Usman Road, T.Nagar, Chennai 600017	AVM's Sound Zone New No 281/Old No 267, Sankara Hall T.T.K Road, Alwarpet, Chennai 600018	To Buy Online, Click here: Kalakendra Very soon, it will be available in Landmark and Odyssey bookstores as well.

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.