My day at the Amar Chitra Katha Studio

As I was playing my twelfth Quiz With No End on the 19th of March, I got a comment from The Amar Chitra Katha Studios that the quiz is closed now. I closed all the tabs where I was searching for answers and questions and continued with my work. I was refreshing the page every 15 minutes to check whether the winner was announced. I left office at 5.15 PM and reminded myself to check as soon as I go home. But, as I could not resist myself, I again started refreshing the page on my cellphone to check whether the winner was announced. And lo! At around 6, I saw that I had asked the more number of questions and I was announced the winner. As I scrolled down to check which book I had won, I could not believe my eyes when I saw the Golden Ticket. I did not need a Hallmark to check whether this "Gold" was authentic. I started calling literally everyone to talk about this. I was overwhelmed !! The team had asked me for my email and contact number which I shared and was waiting for their call or email.

The next day at sharp 10 AM I received a mail from Ms Sanjana Kapur congratulating me again and asking me when would it be feasible to meet them. We discussed and decided to meet on Friday, the 22nd of March at 10 AM. My day-counting started. I could not sleep on Thursday night.

The D-day arrived !!

My parents had to come with me as my husband was busy. I left home early not wanting to be late, but still, thanks to the infamous Bangalore traffic, could reach there by 10.15. 

I was welcomed by a sign at the entrance of the Studio. As I entered, I received the golden ticket and was given a warm welcome by Ms. Reena Mam and Ms. Sanjana. As I walked upstairs, I entered the research, writers and editors room. It consisted of 5 beautiful ladies. Ms. Reena Mam, Ms. Sanjana, Ms. Shalini, Ms. Aparna and Ms. Nimmy.

It was truly a dream come true for me. I had seen the room only in pictures of the Facebook page. The covers pinned up to the board with a picture of Uncle Pai. There was also a board mentioning the next titles to be released with the timeline and also a board which had the names of people who had answered the weekly quiz questions on the Facebook page. We had a small chitchat and then they showed me their work. The way they conduct the research (Must be the toughest part after seeing the books they refer - Huge ones), put them in panelised word document with a description of the picture supposed to come and the dialogue.

 I also did not know they take weekly turns in maintaining the Facebook page. The turns were also pinned up on the board. 

This is a small glimpse of the team I was talking about. The mixture of beauties and brains !! 

The next was the Art team. They were placed in the adjacent room. As soon as I entered the room, I felt like entering a comic book. The world of art is amazing. So, are the artists of the Amar Chitra Katha team. They were the ones who put scripts into pictures and make it more interesting. The artists were drawing, inking, coloring and what not. I was surprised when I got to know that coloring a page itself takes about 1 day. Getting to the right gradient and precision takes time. Each one explained to me what they specialize in and why they are called specialists needs no explanation as their work speaks for them.

As I went back to Reena Mam's room, we spoke for some more time about other things and as we were about to leave, she handed me a copy of Anant Pai. That would be the greatest gift I had ever received. 

We also met the digital team briefly. Last but not the least, Brownie !!! The resident dog. I forgot to mention him earlier. He had greeted me on the doorstep itself. Now, he was sending me off. I could not spend much time with him though. Also, the team made it a point to send me off at the doorstep which is a very wonderful gesture shown by the them.

All in all, I must say, they was the most memorable moments of my life. Love to see you again and again Amar Chitra Katha team. Special thanks to you for making me feel so special.

35 - 533 - Abhimanyu

Abhimanyu was the blessed son of Arjuna and Subhadra, Krishna's sister. He was as brave and a skilled archer as his father. He is sometimes referred as Arjuna's favorite son.

Failing in the game of dice, the Pandavas had to go on an exile for 13 long years. Leaving the infant Abhimanyu in his mother Subhadra and uncle Krishna's care, Arjuna followed his brothers and wife to the exile. On its completion, when Uttara was offered to be Arjuna's wife, he asked her hand in marriage for his son, Abhimanyu. Thus, the marriage was celebrated with great pomp. But, once the Kurukshetra started, the Kauravas thought of some way to put an end to Yudhishtira. They tricked Arjuna and Krishna out of the way and formed the Chakravyuha which was mastered by very few and none were available at the moment. Young Abhimanyu knew only to break into the formation but not come out of it. How he does it and what perils does he face are better read in the book than explained.

828 - Tirupati

Being a staunch devotee of Lord Srinivasa, I have known and heard his stories since my childhood. This book reflects everything what I had read or heard perfectly.

Bhrigu Rishi thought he was insulted when he did not get the welcome he desired. In spate of anger, he kicks Lord Vishnu in the heart due to which, Lakshmi feeling insulted moves out of his abode. Bhrigu is humbled and Vishnu comes in search of his wife to the earth in the form of Srinivasa. He undergoes a lot of perils and the story takes a turn when he is offered Padmavati's hand in marriage. What happens next is to be read.

26 - 531 - Karna

Karna is one of the most powerful yet the most unlucky warrior in Mahabharata. Though he had weapons like Brahmasthra and the gifts from his father, the Sun, Kavacha and Kundala, he did not get the help from any of his weapons or gifts in the last moment. He was cursed by many for and not for his faults, which affected him during the fight.

After misusing a boon from Sage Durvasa, Kunti is left with a son from Surya. Not knowing what to do, she lets it afloat in a river, which is found by Adhiratha and charioteer who is childless. He and his wife, Radha raise him as their own son and provide him with all the necessities. Karna sets on a search for a 'guru' and finds himself humiliated in front of others. He finally finds a guru in Parashurama but instead cursed by him. The book gives an account of the humiliations he has faced, his friendship with Duryodhana, his hatred towards Arjuna and the ill fated death in the Kurukshetra war.

842 - Srinivasa Ramanujan

Srinivasa Ramanujan was one of the greatest mathematicians India has ever seen.

The book begins with the baby Ramanujan, how a Brahmin from a small town of South India got an entry to one of the most prestigious institutions and worked with many devoted people of mathematics, a boy of 13 had mastered mathematics books prescribed for college students and the formulae he developed.

It also gives a clear picture of the problems he faced in England, his initially turbulent marriage, the return, the tuberculosis attack and finally his death.

841 - MS Subbulakshmi

This book gives an overview of Subbulakshmi's life right from her childhood to her death. Her love for music took her to great heights and gave her a chance to meet special people in her field as well as other fields. It describes her part in the freedom struggle very well. Excellent artwork. Engaging book.

A young Subbulakshmi is raised in a house of musicians. Her mother is a noted Veena player and always supportive of Subbulakshmi's musical career. But, it takes a huge turn when Subbulakshmi falls in love with Kalki Sadashivam, who was already married and had a daughter Radha. Though Subbulakshmi had no children of her own, she loved and cared Radha more and would take her to all her concerts.

The wide range of her achievements and honours can also be found in the book.

835 - Salim Ali

The word Ornithology rings 'Salim Ali' in almost all Indian's ears. That is the extent of Salim Ali's contribution to Ornithology in India.

The book starts with a brief introduction of Salim's childhood where he grew up in his aunt's place. His love for birds started with saving a partridge from the kitchen. But he was also involved in hunting small birds like sparrows. His interest took him to various places and introduced him to many important people like Maharajas, Nehru etc. He has made many forests home and faced near death experiences while trying to explore his desire towards birds.