When I first enrolled for my Ph.D, my guide asked me to refer to a thesis on the “Amar Chitra Katha”( Indian comics telling us tales of Indian epics, history and its heros) done by a Research Scholar at the CIEFL, Hyderabad. It was a phenomenal work on the comic and its influences on and by Hindu Nationalism, Nehruvian Socialism, Capitalism, etc. Personally I love the illustrations. They follow my favorite painter Ravi Verma's style.

So when I read the following news item today - Uncle Pai to launch serial in NY, that these Indian historical, mythical, cultural comics will be made into TV serials in the US, I was interested.

Mr Anant Pai, popularly known as Uncle Pai, the father of Indian comics will launch a 100 episodes serial, Our Land Our People which will be on air at ITV Gold in New York. This 25-minute serial will show animated versions of stories drawn from Indian folklore and classics like Panchatantra and Jataka Tales followed by a quiz contest

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Why wasn’t the serial being launched here in India, I am sure a lot of Indian kids exposed to Pokemon and Johnny Bravo, would find it interesting?

Phat! The answer was right there:

He also said, "I plan to launch this serial abroad because anything that is accepted in the US is easily accepted back home."

It is here that I see the phenomenon; India today has long lost its tradition of story telling, amidst the heavy cable TV and other information media aimed at entertaining kids and the youth. In the 80’s when the Amar Chitra Kathas were famous among middle class kids, it was the only entertainment that there was. Entertainment that taught, educated and informed. Alas!! Today there are a lot more educational/entertainment attractions.

On the other hand you have the diaspora that longs for its culture, it folk stories, parents want their kids to understand and remember stories from India and its culture, stories about bravery, respect to elders, courage and being dutiful citizens. So they are quick to adopt and take on what Indian Culturalists should be doing – Tell stories about the glory of India using the latest mass media.

The diaspora is retelling India’s stories to heal the wounds their children suffer from; being in societies which see them as not as one of them.

Pai has done a commendable job of educating and inspiring a lot of Indian Babyboomers, since not many at home listen to them anymore, he’s telling his stories to the diaspora.

Uncle Pai plans to take Our Land, Our People to other nations like West Indies, Jamaica and Singapore which have a sizeable Indian diaspora

From what I foresee, the Indian diaspora is India’s Cultural Bearer.

PS: There is a comic book on Kalpana Chawla, Indian-American astronaut as well.

Kalpana kept strong ties with India and remained a simple, fun loving person deeply concerned about the environment.