#46 Drawing Awareness: How Graphic Novels are Educating India
Graphic novels are not just about superheroes anymore. They’re tackling tough topics from quantum theory to elections, and even mental health.
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Earlier this year, the Foundation for Advancing Science and Technology, India, granted Sarthak Parikh and Kush Dhebar the India Science Book Fellowship, which aims to promote writers that demystify science for the public. Their winning project? A graphic novel on quantum theory explained through cricket analogies!
This is not the first time graphic novels have been used to simplify complex topics for the public. In September 2023, the Election Commission of India released two comic books that used some beloved comic book characters like Chacha Chaudhury to spread awareness about elections among children. The same year, HarperCollins published Joshy Benedict’s ‘The Pig Flip’, a graphic novel about gambling addiction, translated from Malayalam by K.K. Muralidharan.
What was the last graphic novel you read? Let us know in the comments!
Climate activists have also jumped on board to direct peoples’ attention towards environmental issues and climate change through graphic novels. Among these is Nikhil Chaudhary, an architect and illustrator who creates comics on how urban planning and climate change affect each other.
He says, "Comics are a very fertile medium as they let you humanize some of the issues so that they become more accessible for citizens to engage with”.
Laurent Daudet and Appupen, a physics professor-illustrator duo, cited the same reasons for creating Dream Machine, a graphic novel that brings attention to the potential dangers of AI advancement.
Graphic novels can also cater to a wider demographic of readers. More people seem willing to engage with complex topics when they are present in the form of graphic novels, especially since long-form content requires a lot of time and attention. Sometimes, they might even become too academic. According to Richie Lionell, founder of Bezalel Data, an Indian data storytelling firm that presents climate data in comic form:
“If you’re just going to stick to traditional report structures, it’s not going to reach the masses. The moment you bring comics, it forces you to shift from a written tone to a more conversational tone”.
These reasons are also contributing to the graphic novel’s rise in popularity. According to The Hindu, Indian booksellers have noticed the demand for graphic novels go up by 50% since the pandemic. “Newcomers to reading find graphic novels an accessible starting point for their literary journey”, says Krishnagowda, owner of The Bookhive in Bengaluru.
It’s safe to say that this trend is ensuring that graphic novels are no longer reserved only for comic enthusiasts. While this format is helping increase public awareness, it is also presenting exciting opportunities for artists to shine. Although we’re in the midst of discourse regarding AI replacing artists, Indian illustrators currently remain unparalleled in their ability to present such complex, nuanced topics in an accessible manner.
With a rise in the popularity of graphic novels, there’s a rise in output as well, proving that Indian illustrators are meeting the demand head-on, likely ushering in a new era of graphic novels in India.
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