While graphic novels have become a rage nation-wide, the trend has yet to catch up in Malayalam.
This, despite the fact the cartoonist-turned-filmmaker G. Aravindan had gifted Malayalam one of the first graphic narratives in India with his illustrated series, Cheriya Lokavum Valiya Manushyarum (Small World, Big People).
“It had all the features of a graphic novel, though nobody called it one. The genre had not evolved then. However, when graphic novels in English continue to hold sway over Malayalee readers, those in Malayalam have limited currency,” says A.V. Sreekumar, publication manager of DC Books.
Though the publishers brought out, in the last few years, works such as P. Padmarajan’s Thakara and Kallan Pavithran and Vaikom Muhammad Basheer’s Premalekhanam , Pathummayude Aadu and Anavariyum Ponkurishum , the reception has been by and large modest.
On the cards now is Pannimalathu , an original work by Joshy Benedict, its writer-cum-illustrator. “The work is a funny take on the life of an achayan (Syrian Christian) from Pala in central Kerala. A few more works will follow.”
Virtual publishing firm Valmeeki Books has released eight illustrated works, but none that qualifies to be termed a graphic novel.
“They are all illustrated cartoons and we have some hugely popular ones. But there’s no evolving story. Having said that, we are now planning to bring out graphic tales,” says Kuruvilla Chacko, its managing director.
Graphic narratives
Panampilly Nagar-based Studio Kokaachi, which has made some strides in the graphic novel platform in English, also intends to bring out graphic narratives in Malayalam by the year-end.
“There’s for sure a market for graphic tales if we deliver quality stuff in content and production. Of course, while Malayalam made the start with ‘Cheriya Lokavum…’, there has been a lull ever since.
“Our problem is that most book stores stacking Malayalam books are run by prominent publishers in the language. But we are thinking of bringing out our own graphic novel in Malayalam and are in talks with book stores in Kerala,” says Tina Thomas, cofounder of Kokaachi.
