<p>Amid comics, books and graphic novels on international superheroes and cartoon characters at the third annual Comic Con India (CCI), mythological characters too found space. Not only they found the space but were well-received by the visitors of all age groups.</p>.<p><br />Comics on the ancient history, Ramayan, Mahabharat and their characters like Sita, Karan, Pandavas, Kalki, Hanuman, Ganesha, Draupadi were in abundance at the just concluded three-day event that aims to popularise comic culture in India.<br /><br />According to publishers, comics on mythological characters and ancient history have always been popular not just in India but foreign nations also where a large number of NRIs reside.<br /><br />Karan Vir Arora of Vimanika Comics was selling comics only on mythology or ancient history as he likes to call it. “The bestselling is the Shiva series which begins from the time when Lord Shiva marries Sati and ends with the death of demon Tadkasur. Rather than mythology I would call it ancient history because we have got evidence in support of these tales,” says Karan. Barring Kalki, which is the story of a 15-year-old boy, all comics at his stall contained tales either from Ramayan or Mahabharat.<br /><br />While only superheroes rule at the International Comic Con, one could witness a display of India’s diverse culture and the tales that connect to the common man.<br /><br />Mohammed Ali Vakil, co-author of Sufi Comics and The Wise Fool of Baghdad and who became the first Indian publisher to participate in the International Comic Con held in San Diego last year, says the event was a celebration of comics culture. “At the International Comic Con only superheroes rule but here in India we have comics on mythology, folktales, fables and stories that one can relate to,” said Ali.<br /><br />Besides Spiderman, Batman and other popular cartoon characters like Chhota Bheem, children were seen showing interest in the comics on good-old themes like Krishna, Hanuman and Ganesha. Reena Puri, the Editor of Amar Chitra Katha, said these characters remained all time favourites with children.<br /><br />“Mythology is the most popular form in story-telling. These characters are ingrained in all of us because ours is living mythology. Unlike Greece or Rome, our gods are still worshipped. They are still in our homes and therefore these stories become personal. Parents want their children to know about these characters. Krishna, Hanuman and Ganesha are the favourites but children also enjoy folk tales and fables. There is a always stiff competition between comics on mythology theme and folk tales and fables,” she informs.<br /><br />One stall that drew immense interest was that of Ari Jayaprakash who displayed ‘Kuru Art’. On display were his hand drawn sketches in which one could see images of Aghori babas, Shivling, Lord Shiva and other related images. “This style and genre is called Kuru Art. This is new and not your standard comic offering. The style is splash ink art on paper that has been treated with tea and coffee. In the end, edges of each drawing is burnt as offerings to Agni,” he explains.<br /><br />“It started when I was photographing the Ganga Sagar Mela in Bengal 2011 and after<br />interactions with a few Aghori and Naga babas,” says Ari, a Bangalorean. He has compiled the Kuru art sketches, photographs and quotes from Rig Veda in a ‘Kuru <br />Genesis’. <br /></p>
<p>Amid comics, books and graphic novels on international superheroes and cartoon characters at the third annual Comic Con India (CCI), mythological characters too found space. Not only they found the space but were well-received by the visitors of all age groups.</p>.<p><br />Comics on the ancient history, Ramayan, Mahabharat and their characters like Sita, Karan, Pandavas, Kalki, Hanuman, Ganesha, Draupadi were in abundance at the just concluded three-day event that aims to popularise comic culture in India.<br /><br />According to publishers, comics on mythological characters and ancient history have always been popular not just in India but foreign nations also where a large number of NRIs reside.<br /><br />Karan Vir Arora of Vimanika Comics was selling comics only on mythology or ancient history as he likes to call it. “The bestselling is the Shiva series which begins from the time when Lord Shiva marries Sati and ends with the death of demon Tadkasur. Rather than mythology I would call it ancient history because we have got evidence in support of these tales,” says Karan. Barring Kalki, which is the story of a 15-year-old boy, all comics at his stall contained tales either from Ramayan or Mahabharat.<br /><br />While only superheroes rule at the International Comic Con, one could witness a display of India’s diverse culture and the tales that connect to the common man.<br /><br />Mohammed Ali Vakil, co-author of Sufi Comics and The Wise Fool of Baghdad and who became the first Indian publisher to participate in the International Comic Con held in San Diego last year, says the event was a celebration of comics culture. “At the International Comic Con only superheroes rule but here in India we have comics on mythology, folktales, fables and stories that one can relate to,” said Ali.<br /><br />Besides Spiderman, Batman and other popular cartoon characters like Chhota Bheem, children were seen showing interest in the comics on good-old themes like Krishna, Hanuman and Ganesha. Reena Puri, the Editor of Amar Chitra Katha, said these characters remained all time favourites with children.<br /><br />“Mythology is the most popular form in story-telling. These characters are ingrained in all of us because ours is living mythology. Unlike Greece or Rome, our gods are still worshipped. They are still in our homes and therefore these stories become personal. Parents want their children to know about these characters. Krishna, Hanuman and Ganesha are the favourites but children also enjoy folk tales and fables. There is a always stiff competition between comics on mythology theme and folk tales and fables,” she informs.<br /><br />One stall that drew immense interest was that of Ari Jayaprakash who displayed ‘Kuru Art’. On display were his hand drawn sketches in which one could see images of Aghori babas, Shivling, Lord Shiva and other related images. “This style and genre is called Kuru Art. This is new and not your standard comic offering. The style is splash ink art on paper that has been treated with tea and coffee. In the end, edges of each drawing is burnt as offerings to Agni,” he explains.<br /><br />“It started when I was photographing the Ganga Sagar Mela in Bengal 2011 and after<br />interactions with a few Aghori and Naga babas,” says Ari, a Bangalorean. He has compiled the Kuru art sketches, photographs and quotes from Rig Veda in a ‘Kuru <br />Genesis’. <br /></p>