‘We bring out values we believe in’

Amar Chitra Katha (ACK) creator and veteran cartoonist Anant Pai says animation and new media are tools to draw the attention of children. Excerpts:

From one of the first Indian comic series to an entire media house, how has the 43-year-old journey been?
Cartoon was a new medium when we launched in 1967, and the beginning wasn’t smooth. What now happens in four colours, I did in only two colours then. There weren’t many takers. Soon minds opened up, and we were doing fairly well by 1975. I thought that TV animation would dilute the effect that ACK comics has managed to create among its readers, but making cartoons has its own advantages.

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What do you think of new media? Will new titles and existing ones still aim at being strong on morality while enticing readers and viewers in rousing narratives?
To us, it is not important that we present technically flawless comics and animation films. What’s more crucial is that we bring out the values we believe in. And animation and new media are tools that increase the attraction for kids. On the pretext of telling children interesting stories through forms of media that they like, you can imbibe in them good habits and shape their personality. It’s a great feeling that people connect with your characters and stories even 43 years after you first wrote them.