The word ‘novel’ originated in the 18th century from the Italian word “novella” to refer to stories. However, that doesn’t mean novels originated in the eighteenth century. Novels existed even in ancient times, although they were not categorised or labelled as such. In the Indian context, Banabhatta and Bhushanabhatta’s romantic novel in Sanskrit, Kadambari, is an example of that. Kadambari was started by Banabhatta and then was completed by Banabhatta’s son Bhushanabhatta after his father’s death. This ancient story has been dated back to the 7th century C.E. and is considered one of the first novels in world literature. So much so, that today the word ‘kadambari‘ is used as a generic term for a romance or a novel in Kannada and Marathi.
Experts theorise that the plot of this novel could have been adapted from King Sumanas’ story in Gunadhya’s Brhadkatha, a collection of stories in the extinct Paisachi language. This story is also present in Somadeva’s Kathasaritsagara. Kathasaritsagarais considered to be the Sanskrit precis of Brhadkatha. Kadambari is a novel that attains beauty through its complexity. With multiple characters, sub-plots and flashbacks, it is an intricate tale that comes neatly together at the end.
A handsome hermit Pundarika and his friend Kapinjala meet the Gandharva princess Kadambari and her friend, Mahashveta while praying in a temple on the banks of Lake Achchoda. Mahashveta and Pundarika are smitten by each other instantly, but they go their separate ways since Pundarika is a hermit, who has left all worldly pleasures behind.
Though he does not pursue her, Pundarika pines for Mahashveta. Seeing his friend’s misery, Kapinjala informs Mahashveta of his friend’s love for her. She sets out to meet him, with the moon shining brightly to illuminate her path. While sitting under the bright moonlight that night, Pundarika looks up to see the smiling face of the Moon. Assuming that the Moon is mocking him, Pundrika curses the Moon to be born on earth and suffer the misery of unrealised love. The moon retaliates by cursing the Pundarika back, leading to his death. It is at this moment that Mahashveta reaches the spot and sees her beloved lying dead. Filled with grief, she decides to end her life, but the Moon, now regretting his hasty actions, stops her and assures her reunion with Pundarika.
She decides to wait for Pundarika at the banks of Achchoda as an ascetic. Her dear friend Kadambari, the Gandharva princess, vows to remain unmarried until her friend is reunited with her lover.
Soon, the Moon, stricken by Pundarika’s curse, is born as Chandrapida, the son of king Tarapida. At the same time, Pundarika is born to Tarapida’s chief minister and is named Vaishampayana. The two boys grow up together, becoming fast friends. When Chandrapida is crowned as the king, he is married off to the beautiful Patralekha. She is in fact Rohini, the Moon’s wife, who also takes birth as a human to accompany her husband. Chandrapida is also gifted a horse, who is actually Kapinjala reborn due to a sage’s curse.
Chandrapida sets out to conquer the surrounding empires, along with Vaishampayana and Patralekha. One day, while exploring, Chandrapida and his horse reach the place where Mahashveta is waiting for Pundarika. She narrates her story to Chandrapida and tells him about Kadambari’s vow. She takes him to Kadambari’s kingdom, Hemakuta, in the hopes of changing her friend’s mind. There, both Kadambari and Chandrapida fall in love with each other.
However, Kadambari decides to stay true to her vow and soon Chandrapida leaves. Both of them pine for each other, and soon Mahashveta sends for Chandrapida, unable to bear her friend’s pain. Chandrapida takes Patralekha with him and visits Hemkuta again. Upon receiving word from his father, Chandrapida returns to his kingdom, leaving Patralekha behind with Kadambari.
Meanwhile, Vaishampayana meets Mahashveta near Achchoda and proclaims his love for her. As a hermit, she is angered by his declaration and curses him to be reborn as a parrot, not realising he is the reincarnated Pundarika. Upon learning of his friend’s death, a grief-stricken Chandrapida too, falls dead at the banks of Lake Achchoda.
Kadambari and Patralekha reach the spot and are heartbroken. Kadambari prepares to die for her lover, but a heavenly voice intervenes and proclaims that Chandrapida’s body shall be preserved and Kadambari would soon be united with her lover. Patralekha, saddened by her husband’s loss, jumps into the lake on Chandrapida’s horse. When the horse enters the water, the curse is broken and Kapinjala gets his original form back. Kapinjala then informs Mahashveta that the man she cursed was actually Pundarika, who vows to wait for his return.
Kadambari continues to look after Chandrapida’s body at the lake and soon he opens his eyes, brought back to life by her love. Meanwhile, Vaishampayana completes his life as a parrot and regains his original form, that of Pundarika. Mahashveta is overjoyed and soon both the couples are married off with great pomp. Chandrapida hands over the kingdom to Pundarika and spends his time with his beloved Kadambari, sometimes on earth and sometimes in his celestial abode.
Read the classic tales from Indian literature in our title Great Indian Classics. Now available on the ACK Comics App, Kindle, Amazon, and with other major e-tailers.
The Modern Bengali Literature Era (i.e. post-1800), gave birth to numerous classic novels, biographies, religious texts and various poetic genres. Here is the list of some authors from Bengal, who will always be remembered for pioneering this golden period of Bengali literature.
Rassundari Devi (1809-1899)
Illustration: Narendra Pardhi
Rassundari Devi was the first Bengali author to write an autobiography. Her book, titled Aamar Jiban (My Life), was published in two parts, the first part in 1876 and the second, in 1906. Born in 1809, Rassundari Devi was raised by her widowed mother. As a child, she learnt the Bengali alphabets by repeating what was taught in the boys’ school that was held in her house. At the young age of 12, Rassundari Devi became a child bride. She learnt to read by herself post-marriage, due to her desire to read Chaitanya Bhagavatha. Rassundari Devi was the first woman in Bengali literature to write about topics such as her hardships as a child bride, the difficulties she endured to gain literacy and the experiences of her pregnancy and childbirth. She wrote about her experiences in a time when speaking about these issues was considered taboo for women. Her life is an inspirational tale of a woman who fought against all odds to fulfil her desire for literacy.
Peary Chand Mitra (1814-1883)
Illustration: Narendra Pardhi
Born in Calcutta in 1814, Peary Chand Mitra is known for his contribution to the development of Bangla literature and Journalism in Bengal. His most noted novel, Alaler Gharer Dulal (The Spoilt Child) was published in 1857, under the pseudonym Tek Chand Thakur. This was one of the earliest Bengali novels and Mitra wrote it in colloquial language i.e. cholitobhasa, instead of using a formal literary style. His simple prose style was later also used by notable writers like Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. This colloquial form and style later came to be known as the Alali language. At a young age, Mitra learnt Persian and he started to learn English only when he joined Hindu College in 1827. He was a regular contributor to Bengali weekly newspapers such as Hindu Patriot, Calcutta Review, Bengal Spectator and Bengal Harkara. Notable Bangla literary works of Mitra include Alaler Gharer Dulal (1857), Mad Khaoya Bada Day Jat Thakar ki Upay (1859), Krispath (1861) and Abhedi (1871). Peary Chand Mitra breathed his last on 23 November, 1883, in Calcutta.
Girish Chandra Ghosh (1844-1912)
Illustration: Narendra Pardhi
Girish Chandra Ghosh was a Bengali writer, director and actor. He was credited with being responsible for the beginning of the golden era of Bengali Theatre. Girish Chandra was born in Bagbazar, Calcutta, on 28 February, 1844, as the eighth child to his parents. He left school in 1862, after he lost both of his parents and got an apprenticeship in book-keeping with a British Company. During this time, he was introduced to the works of Ishwar Chandra Gupta and started writing songs, poems and plays. Ghosh wrote around 80 plays on religious, social and historical themes. Some of his famous works include Sitaharan (1882), Chaitanyalila (1884), Validan (1904), Chatrapati Shivaji (1907) and Sankaracharya (1910). In 1893, he also translated Shakespeare’s Macbeth in Bangla. Girish Chandra Ghosh was the author of a large number of Bangla plays and his lifelong association with the theatre contributed immensely to the development of Bengali theatre.
Nabinchandra Sen (1847-1909)
Illustration: Narendra Pardhi
Considered one of the greatest poets and writers of Bengal, Nabinchandra Sen is known for popularising the epic narrative of the Mahabharata in Bengali language, with his three-volume series – Raivataka (1887), Kurukshetra (1893) and Prabhas (1896). Born in Noapara, Chittagong, on 10 February, 1847, Nabinchandra earned his BA degree from General Assembly’s Institution – presently the Scottish Church College. In 1871, his first volume of poetry, named Abakash Ranjani, was published, followed by the second volume in 1877. Nabinchandra wrote the biographies of Buddha, Cleopatra and Jesus Christ in Bengali and translated verses of the Markandeya Purana and Bhagavad Gita. His five-volume autobiography, Amar Jiban (My Life), documented not only the politics and administration of his time, but also the social aspirations of the educated class in contemporary Bengal society. Nabinchandra Sen died on 23 January, 1909.
Swarnakumari Devi (1855-1932)
Illustration: Narendra Pardhi
Born in Calcutta on 28 August, 1855, Swarnakumari Devi was the first female Bengali novelist to gain prominence. She was the elder sister of Rabindranath Tagore and was fourth among the daughters of Debandranath Tagore. Swarnakumari Devi was primarily educated at home and she married the well-educated Janakinath Ghoshal in 1868. Eight years after her marriage, Swarnakumari Devi published her first novel, Deep Nirban (The Snuffing out of Light), which evoked the nationalist spirit. She composed the first Bengali opera, Basanta Utsav, in 1879. In 1896, Swarnakumari Devi started an organisation named Sakhi Samiti, which not only provided shelter but also education to women, especially widows and orphans. She worked as the first female editor of Bharati, a magazine started by Jyotirindranath Tagore. Author of many novels, poems, novels, essays and plays, the life of Swarnakumari Devi will always be remembered not only for her contribution to Bengali literature but also for her role as an activist who fought for women’s liberation.
One day in the forest, a tiger, enjoying his meal, got a bone stuck in his jaw. He couldn’t get it out no matter how hard he tried. The tiger was distressed. He thought,
“I will not be able to eat anything unless I get this bone out.”
Days passed. The tiger became weaker and weaker due to starvation. A woodpecker living on a nearby tree approached him and asked why he was lying with his mouth open. In response, the tiger pointed out the bone in his mouth. Understanding the tiger’s problem, the woodpecker decided to make a deal with him. The woodpecker told the tiger that he would remove the bone if the latter promised to give the former a share in the flesh of animals he kills. The tiger agreed immediately and the woodpecker removed the bone from his mouth.
Relieved from the discomfort, the hungry tiger happily went hunting. A few hours later, he returned with his prey and started devouring it. The woodpecker saw this and asked for his share, as per the deal.
Script: C.R. Sharma and Kamala Chandrakant, Illustration: Ashok DongreScript: C.R. Sharma and Kamala Chandrakant, Illustration: Ashok Dongre
The tiger laughed at him and said,
“You know I am a wild animal. I could have easily eaten you when you entered my mouth. I didn’t and so you should be grateful for that.”
The woodpecker was furious when he realized the fact that he had been used by the tiger for his own benefit.
He waited patiently till the tiger began to doze off, after the heavy meal. The woodpecker swiftly pecked one of the eyes of the tiger, blinding him in one eye. The tiger growled in pain and asked why the woodpecker was so cruel to him. To this, the witty woodpecker replied,
“You know I have a sharp beak. I could have easily blinded both of your eyes. But I didn’t and you should be grateful for that.”
Read more animal stories in our Panchatantra and Jataka collections, now available on the ACK Comics app, Flipkart, Amazon, and other major e-tailers.
One day, while strolling in the jungle, Mahachaturaka- a jackal, stumbled upon a dead elephant lying in his path. He was overjoyed. The elephant was huge and could sustain the jackal for a long, long time. However, there was a problem. The elephant’s hide was very tough and the jackal did not have sharp claws or teeth needed to cut away the hide and get to the flesh.
While Mahachaturaka was deep in thought, he saw a lion coming his way. Wanting to win his favour, the jackal approached the lion and said,
“My Lord, I am your loyal servant and have been guarding this dead elephant so that you may feast upon it.”
The lion was proud. He said,
“I only eat what I have hunted myself! However, since you are such a loyal servant, you can have this elephant for yourself.”
And so the lion walked away, leaving Mahachaturaka with the elephant.
A few minutes passed, and the jackal once again heard footsteps coming in his direction. He spotted a tiger. He knew that the tiger was not as proud as the lion and was afraid that he would eat up the elephant. Quickly thinking of a ploy, the jackal spoke to the tiger,
“Dear Uncle Tiger, do not venture near here. This is an elephant that has been killed by a lion. He has gone for his bath and asked me to guard it for him.”
Sowing fear in the tiger’s mind, he continued,
“A tiger once ate a meal hunted by this lion and he was livid! He got so furious that he swore that he would kill any tiger that crossed his path. You should leave before the lion comes back, otherwise, your life would be in grave danger!”
The tiger was alarmed by this story and ran away in the opposite direction, leaving the dead elephant alone.
The jackal had so far preserved his meal from other enemies, but he still could not figure out how to cut away the elephant’s hide. Just as he was fretting over his problem, he saw a leopard coming toward him. A brilliant idea flashed in his mind. At once he called out to the leopard,
“Dear Uncle Leopard, you look so thin and weak – it seems like you have not had a good meal in a long time! Here, I am guarding this dead elephant for a lion, but seeing your condition, I request you to please eat some of it.”
The leopard was hesitant.
“What if the lion comes back and sees me eating his meal? No, I’d better not take the risk,” he said.
“Don’t be afraid, please start eating. I shall signal you to run away as soon as the lion returns,” he reassured the leopard.
Satisfied, the leopard started eating the dead elephant. However, as soon as he had cut the elephant’s hide with his sharp claws, the jackal shouted, “Run! I see the lion coming back! Run!” Hearing his friend’s cries, the leopard ran away as fast as possible.
Now that he had gotten rid of his rivals and managed to tear away the elephant’s tough hide, the jackal happily feasted on his delicious meal.
Read more such fascinating animal tales in our Jataka, Panchatantra and Hitopadesha Collection. It is now available on the ACK Comics app, Kindle, Flipkart, Amazon, and other major e-tailers.
The prophet Isaiah foretold the circumstances of the birth of Jesus Christ and the role he would play in shaping humankind, several centuries before Christ’s coming. This quote, taken from the Book of Isaiah, prophesied the birth of Jesus as the Son of God and speaks of him as the symbol of peace, love and kindness, leading humanity on the path of righteousness.
Kiran Desai is an acclaimed Indian author, who has achieved international fame with her award-winning books. She was born in India in 1971 to author Anita Desai and Ashvin Desai, a writer and the director of a software company. Desai lived in India for fourteen years before moving to England.
Her first novel, Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard, was well received by critics and won the Betty Trask Award in 1998. Set in a small town in India, the book follows Sampath Chawla, an eccentric young man who seeks to break away from the mundanity of life and find freedom in nature. This novel delves into themes of modernity, tradition, mundanity, freedom and the power of imagination.
It was, however, Desai’s second novel, The Inheritance of Loss, which cemented her name as one of the leading Indian writers of current times and brought on comparisons to other acclaimed literary figures like Arundhati Roy and Salman Rushdie. This novel, which came out in 2006, won the Man Booker Prize for Fiction as well as the National Book Critics Circle Fiction Award that year. Inspired by Desai’s own experience of immigration and globalisation, The Inheritance of Loss depicts the far-reaching consequences of colonialism, through interconnecting stories of a retired Judge, his love-struck granddaughter, an old cook, an illegal immigrant in New York and a fundamentalist tutor– all in the small town of Kalimpong.
Today, Desai is one of the best selling Indian-origin authors globally and has collected many more awards and accolades over the years. She was awarded the prestigious Berlin Prize Fellowship at the American Academy in Berlin in 2013 and was listed as one of the 20 most influential global Indian women by the Economic Times in 2015.
The Kuruba community is one of the oldest existing communities in India. They are the original forest dwellers of Karnataka. The people of the Kuruba tribe have practised many professions over the ages, but their main occupations still remain shepherding and farming. The people of the Kuruba tribe believe that the stone is the almighty source of everything. They believe that it is from stone that soil, which nourishes all plants and life, is formed.
Illustration: Sundara Moorthy
The Kuruba community is one of the oldest existing communities in India. They are the original forest dwellers of Karnataka. The people of the Kuruba tribe have practised many professions over the ages, but their main occupations still remain shepherding and farming. The people of the Kuruba tribe believe that the stone is the almighty source of everything. They believe that it is from stone that soil, which nourishes all plants and life, is formed.
There are many sub-divisions of the Kuruba tribe. Some of them are Kadu Kuruba, Jenu Kuruba, Betta Kuruba, Gonda Kuruba and Sanchari Kuruba.
The term ‘Kadu’ in the Kannada language means forest. The Kadu Kuruba live in forests. In the Kannada language, ‘Jenu’ means honey and ‘Kuruba’ means caste. The people of the Jenu Kuruba tribe have made honey-gathering their profession. The people of Betta Kuruba are ethnically similar to the people of the Jenu Kuruba tribe. Their name, ‘Betta’, means hills and they live in the Western Ghats of southern India. The Sanchari Kuruba are an ancient nomadic community of North Karnataka.
Some of the major works from Kuruba Literature are Halumatha Kuruba Purana- Story of Kuruba Gowdas and the Epic of Katamaraju.
Hakkaraya and Bukkaraya, the founders of the Vijayanagar Empire are believed to be from the Kuruba tribe. Some great literary figures like
Kalidasa and Kanakadasa are also said to have been from the Kuruba tribe. The Kuruba tribe has survived many centuries and today, its population in Karnataka alone is around eighty lakh.
Read more Indian classic stories in our comic Great Indian Classics, available on the ACK Comics app, Kindle, Flipkart, Amazon, and other major e-tailers.
It’s hard to pick a favourite Amar Chitra Katha title. There are over 450 titles across numerous genres, each more exciting than the other! Instead, we let you, our dear readers, pick the favourites. Here is a list of some of the best selling books and most popular titles of all time from our collection:
An all-time highest-selling book among the Amar Chitra Katha packs, The Special Shiva Collection provides a comprehensive group of books that tell the most iconic stories of Shiva. This book set contains ten titles, all of which narrate the tales of different phases in Shiva’s life. From Shiva’s love for Sati, to Parvati’s devotion for Shiva, from the exploits of his two mighty sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya, to the story of Ayyapan, his son with Mohini, the collection offers the readers their favourite tales of Shiva’s family. Through its tales, this collection takes the reader on a magical journey across places like the Thanjavur temple, the mythical cities of Tripura and the centuries-old caves of Elephanta. Furthermore, these books also include some of the most popular Shiva stories from the epics, the Mahabharata as well as the Ramayana, all of which celebrate the wisdom and power of Shiva, the Destroyer. This collection offers a peek into Shiva’s endless love for his devotees, his eternal fight against the demons that threaten peace and his determination to assist those in need, and teaches the value of being strong and kind.
The first set of comics under Amar Chitra Katha’s highest selling books of all time is the ‘Jataka, Panchatantra and Hitopadesha Collection.’ Containing over 20 titles, this collection tells old fables through various people and animals with the aim of inculcating good virtues. The stories are witty, yet each leaves readers with some morals applicable to everyday life. These stories are nostalgic for many and the characters come to life through the illustrations. Tales of bravery, courage, counsel and caution can all be found in this collection. Panchatantra stories serve as a manual to a prospective king, revolving around simple day-to-day events but imparting a strong message at the end. Kids love these folktales as they are fun to read, timeless, universal, and easy to understand; vital to every child’s learning even today. Jataka stories are popular folktales of the previous lives of Buddha. Every story sets an example of the impact of deeds and misdeeds, helping kids learn the importance of being virtuous, understanding friendship and relations, choosing the right path, being truthful, and more. Hitopadesha is a collection of Sanskrit fables, which are several centuries old. These fables have been passed on from generation to generation, and are filled with old wisdom that has stood the test of time and will always be relevant.
Another one of Amar Chitra Katha’s most sold books of all time is ‘The Complete Mythology Collection.’ This collection is a favourite and a must-read. Consisting of 73 legendary mythological stories of India, about numerous popular heroes of Indian mythology and the tales of their wisdom, valour and triumph, the collection highlights a plethora of traits and virtues that will inspire the readers. From Veda Vyasa’s great epic, the Mahabharata, to his disciple Jaimin’s legendary work, Chandrahasa, this collection will introduce you to some of the most well-known Indian mythological stories. What sets this collection apart is that it encompasses stories of various mythological characters taken from different eras. From the puissant Bahubali to the virtuous Gandhari, the loyal Ganesha to the fierce Durga, and the twin divinities Ashwini Kumars to Prahlad, the earnest devotee of Vishnu, this collection has stories that will transport you to a world of myth and wonder. It also highlights some of the most iconic incidents from the life of Krishna including the killing of Jarasandha, Narakasura, and Shishupala. Apart from the tales of various characters from the epics, this collection contains the Gita, the philosophical dialogue from the Mahabharata, where Krishna counsels Arjuna about life as well as his duty as a warrior so that he can fight the war with full moral conviction. The discourse sets the principle of life, making it a great read for young readers.
The behemoth set of books which include 10 extra specials, aptly named ‘The Ultimate Collection,’ contains some of ACK’s finest works. Expect more than 200 quintessential Indian stories for kids in one magical box set! Amar Chitra Katha’s Ultimate Collection is a treasure chest of virtually every bestselling title from India’s favourite storytellers. The collection includes the iconic Mahabharata, classic stories of Akbar and Birbal, iconic tales of Indian gods and kings from Shiva and Krishna to Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka, and much, much more. Broken down into three categories: Epics and Mythology, History, and Literature, any appetite for comics will surely be satisfied. Celebrating the vast Hindu pantheon of divinities and celestial beings, our mythological stories explore the origins of these intriguing characters and their motivations and aspirations. Spanning the seven worlds from Swarglok to Yama’s abode down below, these stories take place across the cosmos, building fully realised worlds filled with wonder and magic that will amaze readers of all ages and backgrounds. It has classic books that preserve the golden history and heritage of India, simplifying events to make them more lucid for every reader’s understanding. These are the best stories for kids to be introduced to moral values and ethics while teaching them the importance of patriotism and sacrifice. This series forms a microcosm of India’s past, tracing the country’s evolution right from the Harappan era all the way to our freedom struggle in the 21st century. The collection also houses amazing retellings of some of Indian literature’s best contemporary and classic stories, making it one of our highest selling book collections of all time and one of the all-time best selling books in India.
The Mahabharata and the Ramayana are the two great epics of ancient India. The Mahabharata is a multifaceted story, with numerous characters and infinite learning. In brief, it is the story of the battle of Kurukshetra, fought between two cousin clans, the Pandavas and the Kauravas, for the throne of Hastinapura. Full of twists and turns, it is packed to the brim with action, betrayal, deceit, brotherhood, faith, loyalty, trust, disgust, anger and more. The Amar Chitra Katha Mahabharata set highlights every minor and major event of the epic, spread across 42 books split into three volumes. Perhaps the most popular Indian story ever told, the Mahabharata is essential in understanding Indian culture and philosophy. With Amar Chitra Katha’s stamp of approval, assuring readers of in-depth research by our eminent editorial team, and stunning artwork brought to life by our expert artists, this collection is a must-have for every Indian household looking to explore their roots. The comic-style narration makes the epic easier and more accessible to readers, as well as one of the most sold books of all time.
Next on the list of our all time highest selling books, we have the other major Indian epic, Valmiki’s Ramayana. The story is considered the perfect mythological story for imparting and learning good values. Ramayana is the story of Rama, the prince of Ayodhya and the seventh incarnation of Vishnu. Known as Maryada Purushottam or the perfect man, Rama embodied all that made for a righteous king. The story of Rama’s childhood, his exile, Sita’s abduction, Hanuman’s devotion, and the war against Ravana, form a heroic tale that teaches numerous values and can be found in this 6 volume set, split up into easy-to-digest bites. Readers see so many shades of human emotions and flaws, as well as compassion and empathy throughout the volumes. Starting off with the characters’ childhoods and seeing them grow throughout the comics makes the stories even more personal and touching. This set is bound to immerse children in the colours of Indian mythology and guide them to a higher standard of living, it’s no surprise why the set is so popular and one of the highest-selling of all time. But why leave all the fun for kids? Everyone can relearn the life lessons found within these books and apply them to their life!
Anant Pai, the founder of Amar Chitra Katha, aimed to educate children about our country’s rich history, heritage, literature, mythology and culture. In honour of Uncle Pai’s vision, Amar Chitra Katha brings you Uncle Pai’s Favorite 50 collection. Handpicked by our founder, this collection comprises stories from a wide range of genres. It includes heroic tales of courage, fascinating mythological legends, Indian classics retold and much more. This ultimate collection takes you from stories of great figures like Buddha, Chanakya, Akbar, and Bhagat Singh, to fun animal tales from the Jataka and Panchatantra. It immerses readers into our rich culture with tales of Ram, Krishna, Hanuman and Shakuntala, while also providing them with the comfort of light-hearted tales of Birbal and Baddu and Chhotu. Some of these stories were written by Uncle Pai himself, which, alongside the superb art and iconic style characteristic of Amar Chitra Katha, makes this collection all the more special. Uncle Pai’s Favorite 50 encompasses the best of Amar Chitra Katha. A curation of stories that have now become a staple in Indian households, the collection has something for all types of readers, from all age groups. This diverse range of genres is sure to appeal to all. All this and more make this collection one of the all-time best-selling books in India.
A treat for Amar Chitra Katha fans, The Essence of India Collection is a compilation of evergreen stories of India. It is a journey through our country’s fascinating mythology, riveting history and rich literature. This set contains titles that narrate the lives of great men and women from different eras, such as Ashoka, Bhagat Singh, Shivaji, Rana Pratap, Jagdish Chandra Bose and Rani of Jhansi. The tales of valour, sacrifice, and determination of these historical heroes are sure to inspire generations to come. This collection also takes the reader on a tour of evergreen stories of India such as our great epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata as well as the treasure trove of mythological legends from the Puranas, with titles such as Tales of Vishnu, Shiva Parvati, Shakuntala, The Gita, etc. Along with these magical stories, the collection also provides light-hearted reads with titles like Jataka Tales, Raman of Tenali, and Birbal the Wise. A truly complete collection, this set is sure to appeal to readers of all age groups and foster a long-lasting interest in India’s rich culture and heritage. There is little wonder that this collection is one of the all-time best selling books in India.
Head to the Amar Chitra Katha Shop and order your favourite ACK collection now!
On the occasion of Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle founder, Anant Pai’s 92nd birth anniversary, the editors of both brands pen heartfelt notes about him. Read their notes below.
Note from Reena Puri
Illustration: Ritoparna Hazra
The first thing that stayed with me about Anant Pai, was his huge smile. It spread across his face, pushed up his cheeks and disappeared into his eyes which would close in innumerable crinkles!
The second was his booming voice.
“Reena!” it would echo from his cabin door, deep and loud, and I would scurry out of my chair wondering, what next!
Anant Pai – the person – I don’t know much about. To me, he was a mentor, guide, philosopher, parent and storyteller. Miles away from my own father, he was a pillar of support and encouragement. A mentor who taught me almost everything I know about comics and a guide who helped me navigate my way through my work without once making me feel that he was holding my hand.
What connected us deeply was the love for stories. I had been a bookworm all my life, drawn to words and sentences, with an imagination that ran riot. I could disappear into imaginary worlds and stay there for hours. It just took me a few minutes to enter the world of Tinkle of which I had been made Assistant Editor. Mr Pai saw that and knew he could trust me with his magazine while he concentrated on Amar Chitra Katha.
Then, one day, he went away. It was all so sudden. I was in Agra, with a colleague, researching for a story on the Mughals. He had just had a fall. It hadn’t seemed life-threatening. Yet, he just left us – without a parting word, without a goodbye.
There was a huge void but what he had left behind was so strong that I had no doubt his work would continue. To that end, I have dedicated the rest of my career.
So, this is the promise I have made to Uncle Pai. As Editor-in-Succession to him, of Amar Chitra Katha, I will source the best stories from our heritage and tell it to children so that, as he himself put it, ‘they will learn about their magnificent country and grow up with a sense of pride and self-esteem’.
I know Uncle Pai would support me when I say that we need to be sensitive to each generation and its needs. He would like us to be free-minded, inclusive, educational and entertaining. That’s what we will always be!
So here’s to carrying on the legacy of Uncle Pai and being true to his vision.
Note from Kuriakose Vaisian
Illustration: Vineet Nair
Dearest reader,
It is with a very humble heart that I am writing this short note, commemorating our beloved Uncle Pai. Growing up in a country thousands of kilometres from my hometown, the many worlds Uncle Pai built through the pages of Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle played a huge role in informing and educating me about my motherland. From its storied history to its witty folktales to its evocative literature, it was Uncle Pai’s works that instilled in me a love for stories, both imagined and real. There were many History classes that I managed to shine in through school, thanks to my memory of Amar Chitra Katha books! And when it came to sparking my imagination, Tinkle’s characters were unparalleled. Be it Suppandi’s literal-mindedness, Shambu’s bumbling good luck, Kala’s heroics, Hodja’s quick wit, or even Tantri’s numerous attempts at stealing the Hujli crown, I was thoroughly entertained and inspired. Even when it came to current affairs or STEM subjects, Uncle Pai’s creations were always there to guide me, in the form of Tinkle Tells You Why and Anu Club!
Uncle Pai was truly a legend in more ways than one. He was the definition of visionary, foreseeing the educational potential of an engaging medium that had just about reared its head in our side of the world, long before the advent of the superhero movie and the billion-dollar industry that comic books and comic characters are today. I have always wondered what Uncle Pai would say about the evolution of Tinkle’s American counterparts like Marvel and DC and the pop culture behemoths they have become. From the little that I know about him, I’m sure he would be very excited, especially given the potential that Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle have to follow suit. After all, we have a ready treasure trove of stories waiting to be brought to the next generation. And all said and done, Uncle Pai would have never shied away from experimenting with all the different mediums available to us today!
So here’s to you, Uncle Pai, for becoming the nation’s storyteller to nations across the world, and doing it with enviable elan and panache. The folktales within this collection were handpicked by him and appeared across Tinkle and Amar Chitra Katha. Given his penchant for teaching life lessons through the simplest of stories, I like to think folktales were his favourite kind of story! Happy birthday, Uncle Pai! And happy journeys to you, dear reader!
Your friend forever, Achachan.
Read the first-ever collection of Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle folktales compilation in our latest special release Uncle Pai’s Folktale Collection.
