Catch Amar Chitra Katha tales on TV

Comic book series Amar Chitra Katha has reinvented its stockpile of Indian mythological fables to reach a wider audience through the television.

Comic book series Amar Chitra Katha has reinvented its stockpile of Indian mythological fables to reach a wider audience through the television.

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Having already launched on mobile networks and announced plans to roll out a movie on the adventures of Tinkle character, Suppandi, later this year, the comic book house is now bringing to television its first animated cartoon series.

The 26-episode series, which is based on the tales of Indian legends like Kumbhakarna, Ravana, Arjuna and Vishnu among many others, will air on Cartoon Network starting March 28.

After all, the philosophy of Amar Chitra Katha (ACK), as creator and veteran cartoonist Anant Pai puts it in chaste Sanskrit, has always been, “To keep moving with the times.”

It was a growing viewership among young children, and not a declining count of readers, that prompted the comic book house to launch on television.

“Since the consumption of television in India is increasing by the day, it only made sense to bring these characters to TV,” said Monica Tata, vice president, Turner India.

“It’s simply a creative makeover that we’re giving our titles through new media opportunities,” added Samir Patil, chief executive officer, ACK Media.

Each instalment in the animated series will be half-an-hour long, and aired in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.