Tribute to martyrs

Ranchi, June 3: Catch Birsa Munda, Budhu Bhagat, Albert Ekka and iconic tribal patriots in speech bubbles and colourful graphics.

Tales from the tribal hinterland about freedom fighters, soldiers and the like, will soon hit bookstores across the country in comic form, giving children a chance to brush up on history.

Surely, a welcome change from neglected busts and statues on city chowks.

While capital-based writer Anindita has written the content of the 15 comic books on famous sons of Jharkhand, Delhi illustrator Gunjan Diwedi Malviya has made the stories come alive in pictures.

Chief minister Arjun Munda will release the comic books on June 18 at Mayuri Auditorium. Delhi-based Rajkamal Prakashan is publishing the set.

Priced at Rs 40, the 16-page books each tell a story of a particular patriot from birth to martyrdom. Veer Birsa, Sipahi Vidrohi Ke Sena Nayak Pandey Ganpat Rai, Jan Nayak Budhu Bhagat, Santhal Hul Ke Amar Balidani, Chotanagpur Ka Veer Ahimsavaadi Jatra Bhagat are some of the titles to hit the stands soon.

The next batch boasts Vidroh Nayak Tikait Umrao Singh, Telanga Khadiya Ki Amar Kahani, Kol Vidroh Ka Amar Nayak Kurji Manki, Sheikh Bhikhari, Lans Nayak Albert Ekka, Krantinayak Nilambar—Pitambar, Swatantrata Sangram Ka Mahanayak Gaya Munda, Krantikari Shaheed Jaggu Diwan, Deshbhakt Thakur Vishwanath Shahdeo and Tilka Manjhi.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Anindita said: “Nowadays, children are hooked on to television or internet. To get their attention, I decided to write these stories about the contribution of the state’s heroes in a graphic format.”

It wasn’t child’s play as Anindita added she had to undertake immense research.

Rajkamal Prakashan’s public relations officer Raman Bharti said many people were ignorant of the role essayed by tribal revolutionaries. “Children, especially, don’t know about them. For example, Sidho and Kanhu were hanged on July 26, 1855. Many don’t even know about the most famous icon, Birsa Munda. Comics are the best way to inform and entertain kids,” he said, adding this was a tribute to the heroes.

“Though the initiative is in comic form, the research is painstaking. The comics will educate many adults, too,” Bharti signed off.