Re Reading Select Indian Graphic Novels A Socio Historical Approach

Abstract

Re-reading Select Indian Graphic Novels: A Socio-historical Approach newlineGraphic novels in India are comparatively a new genre; they can be considered an emerging genre also as many aspiring authors have been engaging themselves in this medium in recent years. It is also noticeable that readers, scholars, and academicians have also started to devote much time to this medium in recent years. The real essence of Indian graphic novels is the way they depict the various socio-historical problems prevalent in Indian society. Keeping this in mind, this thesis examines the depiction of such problems in selected novels and how these texts can act as a medium of postcolonial critical literacy. newlineThe selected texts in this thesis visualize societal and historical problems like development-induced displacement, water scarcity, the ever-existing violence in Kashmir, and caste-based discrimination even in the present era. It is not that these problems have not been represented in traditional novels; however, graphic novels, with their appealing illustrations and limited text urge the readers to ponder upon these problems in a new way. newlineOne of the chief attractions of graphic novels is their illustrations and the way they challenge the readers. As the genre is still an emerging one in India, the thesis also elaborates in detail the various types of graphic arts the novelists employ in their texts. Such an explanation will help the readers understand and accurately correlate the texts. newlineDespite the rising popularity of Indian graphic novels in recent times, many still do not consider the genre a serious one and do not consider it a part of mainstream Indian writing in English. This thesis explains that Indian graphic novels have the same potential as any mainstream medium of writing, and with its promising prospect, the time has now come to acknowledge the genre to make it a part of Indian writing in English. newline