06-04-2007, 08:14 PM
Husky,
I went through similar thoughts. But I realized that given that these are produced by a non indian company and primarily for a non indian crowd, it is actually a positive development. It may be a harbinger of truly indian comics based on true hinduism, and not just like amar-chitra-katha but more ambitious and creative. The animation Hanuman was a faint beginning in the world of indian animation. The kind of imagery used in these new comics will inspire a much more creative and powerful animations I think.
The point is that this particular stream of narrative, even though not fully faithful to hindu tradition, is far better than what Wendy's spawn at Univ Chicago divinity school and other places, churn out.
In these comics Rama is a hero and Devi is a heroine, even though much more rajasic than sattwic. But that is better than the tamasic or evil portrayals of hindu icons that is the current flavour in american academia. Over time sattwic portrayals may be generated, possibly from within India. The challenge would be to maintain the sattwic nature of the divine icons, while still having enough "action" to keep comics-lovers hooked. I don't think that is unsurmountable though.
I went through similar thoughts. But I realized that given that these are produced by a non indian company and primarily for a non indian crowd, it is actually a positive development. It may be a harbinger of truly indian comics based on true hinduism, and not just like amar-chitra-katha but more ambitious and creative. The animation Hanuman was a faint beginning in the world of indian animation. The kind of imagery used in these new comics will inspire a much more creative and powerful animations I think.
The point is that this particular stream of narrative, even though not fully faithful to hindu tradition, is far better than what Wendy's spawn at Univ Chicago divinity school and other places, churn out.
In these comics Rama is a hero and Devi is a heroine, even though much more rajasic than sattwic. But that is better than the tamasic or evil portrayals of hindu icons that is the current flavour in american academia. Over time sattwic portrayals may be generated, possibly from within India. The challenge would be to maintain the sattwic nature of the divine icons, while still having enough "action" to keep comics-lovers hooked. I don't think that is unsurmountable though.