Washington23 - Breaking News and Updates

Twenty Onwards Media

Think comic books are just good for a giggle? Think again, with the help of Comic Con, India’s first comic books convention, taking place in Delhi over the weekend.
Whether it’s the memory of buying a Tinkle or an Archie Digest before boarding a train, or of a childhood weekend spent seeing Captain Haddock exclaim “Billions of bilious blue blistering barnacles!,” for, well, the billionth time, it would be impossible for most people not to have a fond comic book memory.

More In Books

Scene: Two Indians on Man Asian Shortlist
New Indian Nonfiction: A Wave or a Ripple?
Literary Limelight Still Shines on Mumbai
Whom Do Authors Write for?
A Female Dalit Poet Fights Back in Verse

Organizers say Comic Con is a chance to get to know the people behind the Indian classics—Amar Chitra Katha —as well as the creators of the country’s growing host of comics in new genres, from highbrow to lowbrow, political to fantastical.
“Often when you ask someone if they are a fan of comic books and graphic novels, many seem to know a lot about the characters and the books. But if you ask them who’s the author or illustrator, people rarely know,” said Jatin Verma, of  Twenty Onwards Media, a startup that promotes alternative content and that is organizing the two-day event. “This is a chance for them to meet who is behind the characters they read or see.”
Mr. Varma said the convention was inspired by similar gatherings in other countries, including San Francisco’s WonderCon, though the Indian Comic Con is not affiliated to any other Comic convention around the world.
At the venue, the Dilli Haat culture bazaar in South Delhi, there will be stalls from about 35 publishers, as well as talks, interactive sessions and workshops by comic book creators, animators and publishers.
On Saturday, Orijit Sen, the author of one of India’s first graphic novels, “River of Stories,” which was based on the Narmada River Valley dam protests, will host a workshop. Fans of the classic Chacha Chaudhary comic, in which Chacha Chaudhary, a wise old man solves problems and fights criminals and tricksters with his sharp intellect, accompanied by his friend Sabu, an inhabitant of the planet Jupiter, will also get a chance to meet the creator, Pran. Cartoonist Abhijeet Kinni, who has been an illustrator for Tinkle, a popular Indian illustrated magazine for children, will host a workshop too.
On Sunday there will be a discussion with the publishers of the Amar Chitra Katha comics, which are based mostly on epics and folktales, as well as a question-and-answer session with Times of India humor columnist Jug Suraiya.
Vishwajyoti Ghosh, author of the graphic novel “Delhi Calm,” the Emergency of the 1970’s, will also talk about his work.
“Comic books don’t necessarily have to be humorous. For those who enjoy serious stories, graphic novels and comic books have a lot to offer them too,” said Mr. Varma.
On Sunday evening, the convention will bestow a lifetime award on Anant Pai, the creator of Tinkle and Amar Chitra Katha, will get a lifetime award.
Several new books will be released at the convention, including “Uud Bilaw Manus: Back with a Vengeance,” which is about the adventures of the superhero UuBiMa, a Bhojpuri-speaking superhero from north India who first made his appearance in Twenty Onwards Media’s humor publication, Random Magazine. His 22-year-old creator, Adhiraj Singh describes the effort as “a parody on superheroes.”
A superhero with the face of a dog, UuBiMa has fought enemies like Babu Ghadiyal, Boa Contractor (who is actually a corrupt municipality contractor) and other perpetrators of evil in north India’s hinterland. Mr. Singh has created other oddball “superheroes” for Random Magazine, including several parodies of stock Bollywood movie characters, such as Widhwa Maa (Widowed mother) and Andhi Behen (Blind sister).
There’s a bonus: Come dressed as a cartoon, comic book or graphic novel character, and you’ll be in the running for a trip to Goa and other. Warning: Folks wearing Bollywood costumes aren’t welcome.
Comics Con takes place on Saturday, Feb. 19, noon onwards, and Sunday, Feb. 20,11 a.m. onwards. Dilli Haat, Aurobindo Marg, opposite INA Market. Tickets cost 15 rupees.

Fuente: India Real Time