Review : Uncle Pai

Uncle Pai

‘Should we stop using a tool as useful as a comic just because it can cause harm?’

-Anant Pai

‘Uncle Pai‘ is the biography of the legendary man behind the popular children’s comic book ‘Amar Chitra Katha‘ written by Rajessh Iyer. “Uncle Pai” as he was unanimously referred to by his readers in letters and seminars was also the pioneer of many other children’s comics and magazines of the 1970s and 80s like the Indrajal, Tinkle, PARTHA magazine and Rang Rekha syndicated strips. The story of one man who had the vision to cater Indian content to the children of India in the form of comic books when an idea of such sorts was lowly and outlandish.

The book outlines his entire life from a child, his education, career as a journalist in ‘Times Of India‘, making  of ‘Indrajal Comics‘, his married life, giving birth to his dream project ‘ACK’, work life and his ethics, love for reading, storytelling, his other projects and the pruning of a revolutionary comic book era.

Before one should dive into this book one must know what was ‘Amar Chitra Katha’ (a simple Google Search could help) nevertheless I’ll brief you about it. ACK comic magazine was based on famous stories taken from Hindu mythology, Indian history and heritage. I’ve never read any ACK comics, I belong to the ‘Champak magazine’ generation but now I’m intrigued to read them (the contents of the book were also honoured by UNESCO in those days).The book discusses in brief what are the contents of Tinkle, PARTHA magazine etc.

The author has done a wonderful job by maintaining an equilibrium so the biography doesn’t read like a glory story nor does it feel like tasteless banter. There is a lot to learn from the life of Pai especially his equation with his editors, employees, cartoonist, school authorities and IBA heads HG and GL Mirchandani who gave wings to his dream.

I loved the way interesting facts or incidents about Pai’s life are displayed in Box Copy at the end of each chapter giving the book a magazine layout feel. The narrative style of the author is admirable, the book doesn’t get boring at any point. I particularly admire this because most readers avoid reading biographies for it’s tedious tone and it would have been a shame if the life of such a colourful mind was written insipid.

Recommended to everyone who wants to read about the great storyteller Anant Pai, ACK, Tinkle, life of comic artists of the 1970s-80s and anyone who wants to start reading auto/biographies.

#readingfatima