Proceedings of The 4th World Conference on Social Sciences
Year: 2022
DOI:
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Inclusiveness in Indian Graphic novels: Bhimayana and Kari
Zahra Ahmad
ABSTRACT:
Graphic novels employing multimodal semiotic strategies, using verbal and visual medium is a micronarrative. Postmodernism and cultural studies gave rise to the several genres focusing on petit narrative. Modern Indian graphic novels depict social issues of marginalization and exploitation bringing them to the fore, at the same time being inclusive of varied themes in its narrative. Bhimayana a critique of hidden apartheid movement in India showing the struggles of Dalit icon, Ambedkar also includes as its themes: historical events and legislation, ecocentrism, zoomorphism, current happenings and subverting of Brahmanical hegemony. Similarly, Kari, a queer text showing the struggles and resistance of a lesbian also includes theme of migration, alienation, ecology, disease, death, capitalist society and subversion of heteronormativity and patriarchy. This paper intends to analyses the themes and narrative techniques of two graphic novels- Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability (2011) by Natarajan et.al and Amruta Patil’s Kari (2008) to show inclusiveness to varied issues. The paper also illustrates the social issues being dealt with and the purpose of graphic novels to give voice to those at periphery as well as to show their resistance against status quo.
keywords: diversity, homosexuality, identity crisis, petit narrative, racism.