CHITRAKATHA: Indian Comics Beyond Balloons and Panels
As the tag-line says, “Comics, Beyond Balloons and Panels”. This is precisely what the Writer, Director and Producer Alok Sharma is aiming for, with his first movie Chitrakatha. This movie explores the history of Indian comics, its origin and its development over the last three generations.
Comics lovers, watching the 10 minutes preview of Chitrakatha
I was fortunate enough to participate in the latest event of Chitrakatha at Mocha Mojo, Bandra, sponsored by Leaping Windows. Director Alok Sharma presented the 10 minutes preview cut of the documentary. Later, he answered the questions of the viewers related to the movie.
Aabid Surti , the creator of Bahadur and Dabbu ji
The movie started with a touching story by Aabid Surti, the creator of first Indian comic hero “Bahadur” and the most popular comic strip “Dabbuji”. He told an interesting story of his childhood when with other children of his age, he used to run behind the open trams of British troops, passing through Bombay port during the Second World War. Sometimes, children were lucky to find various imported chocolates and sometimes, some other things! But one day the soldiers threw something which became the reason of the birth of an eternal Indian comic hero and many other creations.
Yes !!! One day, a soldier threw a Walt Disney comic- book for the running children and child Aabid was lucky enough to find a ripped page of that comics which had Mickey Mouse illustrated on it with obvious “Balloons and Panels”. This incident changed the world of Aabid. He started trying to draw characters like he saw in the comic book and as Aabid ji told in the Chitrakatha documentary, he is a cartoonist today because of that page of comics, thrown by a soldier unknowingly.
Story is simple but it tells the tale of amazing possibilities. I wonder, how the energy and creativity of Walt Disney traveled all along in the form of comics and touched the little Aabid who later became the face of Indian comics and inspired millions of the children of this country. He also told what inspired him to create a character like Bahadur ( illustrated by Late Govind Brahmania) who was born among the dacoits from Chambal but still is a savior of law and humanity.
Bahdur and Bela, characters developed by Aabid Surti
We all had been a great comics buffs and we know how these books inspired our lives knowingly or unknowingly but as the time moved ahead, those sweet memories became a thing of past. Alok’s Chitrakatha is an attempt to revisit our past, to live our childhood again.I saw many of adult children in this Chitrakatha event at Mocha Mojo, who were reading comics, discussing their superheroes and having a great time in a quiz where the prize for a correct answer was a rare comic-book.
Well, Chitrakatha is not only about the revisiting the past; its also about giving the unsung heroes ( writers/ illustrators/ artists) of Indian comics their due credit. These artists never got the money they deserved when compared to the artists of foreign lands. But, their sheer love and passion for comics kept them moving ahead.
Alok’s Chitrakatha explores the world of these artists whose name we only used to see in some corner of book written in black ink. Alok has done this marvelous job to capture their lives and words on camera. We also saw the interview of cartoonist Pran who told that when he was creating Chacha Chaudhary, his focus was on creating a hero whose power lies in his mind.
Pran with his immortal character Chacha Chaudhary
A rare interview of immortal “Anant pai” in Chtrakatha was a real treat for Amar Chitra Katha lovers, also saw some clips of the great artist Dilip Kadam who drew The Mahabharat published by Amar Chitra Katha.
When I was watching the movie , I had tears in my eyes while hearing all those inspiring stories of creators who filled my childhood with colors of imagination. When I looked around and saw Alok, I found that his eyes are also moist . Now, I can understand his love for comics which inspired him to leave his secure job and going through all this. When asked how is he financing the movie, he told that they work for 3 months on freelancing projects to earn money and for the next three months , they work on Chitrakatha, the movie. But, he is determined and confident about what he is doing and what he believes in!
Alok Sharma, Producer/ Writer/ Director of Chitrakatha
I salute his passion!
I am sure that his movie Chitrakatha will inspire many more children like little Aabid and they will change the face of Indian Comics scene forever.
Amen!
Rahul Katyayan
Rafiq Raja said
Awe inspiring write-up on Chitrakatha, and the men who have spent significant time of their life, to celeberate this unique passion in India, and the unknown creators behind the scene.
Rahul Katyayan said
Thanks, Rafiq! More power to team Chitrakatha!