In the remotest village, thanks to internet and cable television, one can access stories from around the world. First it was Mumbai Doordarshan then it became National television. Everything was controlled by the Government. When ACK came into the lives of children, the only thing on television were the weekly black & white shows: Chayageet, Krishi-darshan, Marathi movies on Saturday and Hindi movies on Sunday. ACK has tried going on television but the televised version does not have the same magic. The American and Japanese comics have overrun the child’s imagination. Today, parents tell me that they buy ACK for their children, but the children prefer television. Today, things are not so bad, but I keep hearing this need to make mythology ‘relevant’ for the modern child. In 1967, in a quiz contest, the children could answer questions from Greek and Roman mythology but they did not know the name of Ram’s mother in the epic Ramayana. Had it not been for him, would I have immersed myself into mythology, I wonder? Those moments came into my life because of this one man,and for that I, and many more, will be eternally grateful. I remember waiting for that monthly dose, admiring the art, relishing the story and imagining myself in those mythic worlds. He is the man who brought mythology to a whole generation of Indians through ‘immortal picture books’ or Amar Chitra Katha (ACK). Perhaps the advent of television and the attendant exposure to stories in the form of cartoons have taken the place of the educational comics.Published in Devlok, Sunday Midday on March 06, 2011. And with regards to Amar Chitra Katha, they have an added value addition faeture attached to them as well. But I feel that our children are missing something. Why blame anyone else? I too have gifted everything to kids even in birthdays- but never a comic. The world - children and parents alike - seemed to have moved on.

Even Phantom and Mandrake were an escape into a fantasy world, and were a treat. Video Games have usurped the position enjoyed by comics. It is always a toy, or a visit to a movie or a pizza parlour.

Further, I have not noted people asking for comics to gift their children either. Even the modern comics like archies are a thing of the past, it seems. For very Phantom and Mandrake that we purchased, there were several ACK's! But in a modern bookstore, comics are a rarity. They were omnipresent - I know since whenever we visited a book store I would always spot and purchase a comic. In my childhood it was unimaginable that a book store does not have stock of an Amar Chitra Katha Comic. Secondly, they are not too heavy on the pocket - Rs. I am pretty sure that if prominently displayed, the retail off-take of these comics will be there. It is a great pity that more book stores do not stock these comics.

Amar chitra katha value series