The headline does sound like an alarming statement. One that a comic artist would make in a very melodramatic way, one that would send panic signals down all aspirants who want to dare to take up comics as a career. Let’s just sit back and take a deep breath for a second here. Much to Chief Vitastatistix’s delight, the sky is not going to fall on our heads. At least not right now!
But there still remains that weird emotion in the minds of our ‘aam junta’ when it comes to looking at comic artists and writers. Much like a taboo. I have been a very fortunate man, who has been able to convert a hobby into a profession and realise my dreams by becoming a comics illustrator, writer and publisher. I have my parents to thank for that. But many around me have not been able to see themselves draw for a living. Many artists that I have seen right through my school and college days, vastly talented, could have given international artists a run for their money, have changed tracks and gone for something more “safer” than the topsy turvy ride of being an artist. And being a comics artist has been absolutely unheard of in our country. At least as of some years ago.
Comics have been around in India for many years and decades. We have had popular comic titles and publishing houses who have provided us with reading fodder all through our growing up years. Not just to us, but even to our parents. These were the people who really must have faced super-scrutiny in society. Back in those days exposure was limited, the world wasn’t well connected as it is today. We have become so used to keeping inspirations and crash courses a click away that we have taken it all for granted. It definitely wasn’t so back then. Yet, India has had a treasury of retro comics. Amar Chitra Kathas, Tinkles, Bahadurs, Chacha Chaudharys and many more have been priceless influences and they still remain the same for lakhs and lakhs of Indian artists. Those inclined towards comics today have these comics to thank, since these have been influential in shaping our thoughts and ideas and giving us hope that one can make a career out of comics. But has people’s mindsets changed drastically with the advent of new media?
The answer is not as simple as it can be. India has been a country which has emphasised a lot on ‘safe’ careers. Just look at your family tree. You’d definitely find a banker somewhere, an engineer, a doctor or even a government servant. The chances of you finding out that some aunt or uncle of yours was an artist would be rare. And by artist I don’t just mean a person who draws or paints, here I mean performing artists as well. These avenues have been seen as simple “entertainment” or “hobbies”. Comics, interestingly, has always been seen as “for kids”. And shockingly, even today, a lot of adults and parents of young children actually have the gall to look down on comics saying “Hahah, I used to read all this nonsense when I was in school. Then I grew up”. Really? You grew up to be a sad obnoxious ass who actually does not understand an ounce of how the world works. Maybe you are just too deep into your own self and think the world revolves around you.
It is this thought that has to change. And I really hope this happens soon. Thankfully, today India sees a lot of Comic Cons happening all across the length and breadth of it, and with that people are getting more and more exposed to the powerful medium of comics. We see people come in to these Cons, some are genuine fans while others are curious to see what is happening on the comics-scene in our country. That is a huge plus for all those of us who strive to bring out comics in one form or another. But amidst all this, we still field questions like, “You do this for a living?” “Does it work out for you?” “Ok, so you draw, but what do you actually do?” “Haha, comics? A career? I thought it’s for kids”.
Sigh. How do you encourage the next gen of comics artists to take this line up when the mass majority of society still asks these questions? The answer lies within each of the aspirants. Traditionally, artists are never supposed to go with the herd anyway. If you have the guts, break free and follow your dream. There are suddenly a number of institutes which offer courses on Comic art and writing. Since I am a self taught artist, I do not know what these institutes teach. I just hope this is not a scam to cash in on the current wave of comics-curiosity. If these courses are genuine, then I say one should try these out. I myself conduct several workshops across age groups, in which I show the attendees how I go about the process of making my comics. There are a lot of such workshops and events in various cities and one can keep a lookout for these.
When I was at the point in my student life where I had to choose between a graduation in fine arts or media, I went for the latter. Maybe deep inside I wanted to take the risk of being self taught and not get my thinking moulded by tradition. That’s just my opinion. But when people ask me if enrolling for fine arts can be a sure-shot way of getting into the comics line, I just tell them there is no guarantee. It all depends on what the students makes of that course or degree. There is no ‘subject’ called Comics in our traditional art schools. In India, comic art is still pretty much a subjective area. So in that sense, each and every comics artist and writer we have in the country deserves a pat on his or her back, since we all have made our own rules and have been able to turn our ideas into tangible products. And frankly, I’m sure like me, none of the others took up this “line” for any kind of scope or it being the “in-thing”. It has been pure passion and grit. And that would be my message to future comics artists and writers too. If you are passionate, give it a shot. Who knows, this might be the next big revolution?
(These are purely personal views of Angry Maushi Comics, Creator – Abhijeet Kini and AnimationXpress.com does not necessarily subscribe to these views)