Dateline Pauri: How about reading your favourite folktale from Uttarakhand that too in Garhwali and in a comic book format?
Launched on 1st February, 2022 by Chakhul ‘Devbhoomi Comics’ bring alive the folktales of Uttarakhand. The books are bilingual as they come in Garhwali and Hindi both so even those who don’t speak or read Garhwali can understand fables that have become an intrinsic part of the hillstate’s culture and tradition.
A team of young people handpicked folk stories from the hills and after two months of hardwork and research they launched their first comic book ‘Kafal Pako,’ in Garhwali. The comic book retells the folk saga behind the famous seasonal berry ‘Kafal.’ Colourful illustrations and simple Garhwali prose add substance to this nominally priced soft cover book that is easily available online.
Talking to Newspost Ankit Bhandari the visionary behind this idea says, “The idea was simple. This comic book series hopes to promote folk stories and regional languages of Uttarakhand. We want to inform people all around the globe as to what makes Uttarakhand Dev bhoomi,’ and to bring alive our heroes from the past.’
The folktales bring alive the hillstate’s glorious history, its culture and heroes. It aims to promote local regional languages through its young audience. Their future titles include the tales of Phulari, Garhwali krishn leela, Chalda Mahasu, Kali Kumaon in Garhwali, Kumaoni as well as Jaunsari in the near future.
Ankit further adds, “we wanted to print comic books that would be enjoyed by all age groups ranging from school going children to the elderlies at home.” He tells us about another noble thought behind buying the comic series, “10% funds collected from the sales of ‘Devbhoomi Comics will be given to Kothari Parvatiya Vikas Samiti that has been working on self-employment in rural Uttarakhand.”
To get your own copy, click here:
https://www.amazon.in/sme=A3B1AKUAZDND8N&ref=sf_seller_app_share_new
