---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Shiva Shankar <sshankar@cmi.ac.in>
Date: Sat, May 21, 2011 at 9:51 AM
Subject: Bhimayana in the 'Top 5 Political Comic Books'
To:
"... "This is a very important book which highlights one of the biggest denials of human rights still in existence on the planet" ..."
The top five political comic books, By Nuala Calvi, for CNN - Maus, Palestine, Persepolis, The Photographer: Into War-torn Afghanistan with Doctors Without Borders and BHIMAYANA.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/05/19/graphic.novels/
"Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability"
Bhimayana explores the plight of India's Dalits, or Untouchables, who - despite the abolition of the country's ancient caste system - continue to face routine discrimination based on the idea that they are impure. The book, published this year, combines the biography of Indian activist and Dalit champion Bhimrao Ambedkar - who himself grew up Untouchable - with a present-day conversation between two people at a bus stop about whether or not the problem still exists.
India's 'untouchables' declare own religion:
"This is a very important book which highlights one of the biggest denials of human rights still in existence on the planet," says Gravett. "It's also fascinating for the way it's drawn," he continues. "The authors, Srividya Natarajan and S. Anand, wanted a uniquely Indian feel to the artwork so they commissioned couple Durgabai and Subhash Vyam, who work in the Pardhan Gond style, to produce it.
"Pardhan Gond is a style of art based on traditional techniques using detailed patterning and earth-based, natural colors," Gravett explains. "It has been used for large paintings before but had never been applied to comics."
The artists were reluctant to use the conventions of Western comics so employed decorative friezes to break up the pages instead of boxes, and drew speech bubbles in the shape of birds -- with scorpion tails to indicate prejudiced comments.
"It reminds you that, even today, people are still inventing new ways of creating comics," says Gravett.
------------------------------
Next up: Bhimayana review in Times Literary Supplement
Buy Bhimayana from Flipkart [www.flipkart.com], LeftWord [www.leftword.com] and Scholars Without Borders [swb.co.in].
"Democracy in India is only top-dressing on an Indian soil which is essentially undemocratic." B.R. Ambedkar, in 'Thus Spoke Ambedkar, Vol. 1: A Stake in the Nation'.
From: Shiva Shankar <sshankar@cmi.ac.in>
Date: Sat, May 21, 2011 at 9:51 AM
Subject: Bhimayana in the 'Top 5 Political Comic Books'
To:
"... "This is a very important book which highlights one of the biggest denials of human rights still in existence on the planet" ..."
The top five political comic books, By Nuala Calvi, for CNN - Maus, Palestine, Persepolis, The Photographer: Into War-torn Afghanistan with Doctors Without Borders and BHIMAYANA.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/05/19/graphic.novels/
"Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability"
Bhimayana explores the plight of India's Dalits, or Untouchables, who - despite the abolition of the country's ancient caste system - continue to face routine discrimination based on the idea that they are impure. The book, published this year, combines the biography of Indian activist and Dalit champion Bhimrao Ambedkar - who himself grew up Untouchable - with a present-day conversation between two people at a bus stop about whether or not the problem still exists.
India's 'untouchables' declare own religion:
"This is a very important book which highlights one of the biggest denials of human rights still in existence on the planet," says Gravett. "It's also fascinating for the way it's drawn," he continues. "The authors, Srividya Natarajan and S. Anand, wanted a uniquely Indian feel to the artwork so they commissioned couple Durgabai and Subhash Vyam, who work in the Pardhan Gond style, to produce it.
"Pardhan Gond is a style of art based on traditional techniques using detailed patterning and earth-based, natural colors," Gravett explains. "It has been used for large paintings before but had never been applied to comics."
The artists were reluctant to use the conventions of Western comics so employed decorative friezes to break up the pages instead of boxes, and drew speech bubbles in the shape of birds -- with scorpion tails to indicate prejudiced comments.
"It reminds you that, even today, people are still inventing new ways of creating comics," says Gravett.
------------------------------
Next up: Bhimayana review in Times Literary Supplement
Buy Bhimayana from Flipkart [www.flipkart.com], LeftWord [www.leftword.com] and Scholars Without Borders [swb.co.in].
"Democracy in India is only top-dressing on an Indian soil which is essentially undemocratic." B.R. Ambedkar, in 'Thus Spoke Ambedkar, Vol. 1: A Stake in the Nation'.
--
Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/
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