Comics are not that modern a phenomenon as most of us think. The experts trace its
existence to sequential paintings in India, Greece, Egypt, Italy, and some other parts of
the world. After the invention of the printing press, the modern-day comics started to
appear in the market in the first half of the nineteenth century. After gaining popularity in
the West, around 150 years later, comics came to India. Amar Chitra Katha, Diamond
Comics, and Raj Comics are the earliest and the most popular comic series. Indian children
have always idealized comic characters such as Chacha Choudhary, Pinky, Nagraj, Donga,
and so on. The impact of comics on children cannot be taken lightly. It remains in their
minds and souls forever because of its visual impact.
In India, the twentieth century witnessed the birth of two significant forms of literature—
Comics and Dalit Literature. These two forms are in complete contrast to each other. On
the one hand, comics have superheroes, thrill, comedy, action, and mythological world,
and these features are used to create a fantasy world for the amusement of children.
Unlike comics, which is a borrowed form, Dalit Literature is purely Indian that dealt with
the harsh realities of the caste system in Indian society. It never had superheroes or a
fairy-tale world. In that era, nobody could have even thought of bringing these two forms
together.
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