I was one of the 80’s kids who had the honor and privilege to read these books all through my childhood and even during my teens as these had kept readers like me captivated for an infinite time.
When I saw the biography of such a legendary character, who sadly did not get the due recognition from any government to date, I did not give a second thought and grabbed the book immediately. The book showed the in and out of what this great man had to go through to set up the brands which enjoyed near-monopoly status when they were in circulation, in that category. The reviews given by some of the great personalities like Shri Devdutt Patnaik, Shri Anand Neelakantan, Actor Rana Daggubati, Dr. Subramaniam Swamy prove beyond any doubt how iconic, he was.
The book shows how Uncle Pai, as he is fondly called enjoyed rock-solid support from his better half – Mrs. Lalita Pai. Mr. Anant Pai (Uncle Pai) even went ahead and called her the “Rock of Gibraltar”.
Pai wasn’t a cartoonist/illustrator which is what many think, but as a reader and most importantly an excellent storyteller.
How was he inspired to become a storyteller?
Why he found it difficult to sustain at Indrajaal comics?
Which book motivated him in his early days?
Do you know Uncle Pai worked in Times for f India?
His association with India Book House (IBH) & how it happened.
The birth of the name “Amar Chitra Katha” sends goosebumps even to a normal reader like me. Imagine the effect it would have had on Uncle Pai who framed it and his wife Lalita who was the first to hear it.
Kalia the crow, Kapish the Monkey, Shikari Shambu, Ramu & Shamu, Little Raji & Inspector Vikram are some of the iconic characters which delighted the kids back then. It is high time that we all, the readers, come together and probably start an online petition to get the due recognition for this great man who dedicated his life and soul to bring out the best to us…….
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