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Tintin in Kerala

rustic avatars ‘Tintin in Kerala’ is on at Alliance Francaise de Trivandrum till August 13

Herge’s Tintin is no stranger to India. In fact, this young Belgian reporter has been in colonial India as far back as 1934, in the ‘Cigars of the Pharaoh’ and in ‘Tintin in Tibet.’ However this intrepid young man has ne ver been to God’s own country.

Bringing Tintin to Kerala is Alliance Francaise de Trivandrum through its exhibition ‘Tintin in Kerala.’ An exhibition of illustrations of the hero of Herge’s comics by artistes from Vismayas Max Animation Studio, Toonz Animation Academy and a couple of students from Alliance Francaise de Trivandrum, ‘Tintin in Kerala’ gives viewers an insight into the popular concepts about being a Malayali in Kerala.

From Tintin as a mahout to Tintin with a bottle of toddy, the exhibition features the hero in various ethnic avatars.

Tintin in western wear is a usual sight, but Tintin in a ‘lungi’ and ‘baniyan’ is a treat. And a Tintin dressed in such attire is how the reporter has been depicted by most of the artists.

Tintin in a folded lungi and baniyan at a tea stall is bound to bring a smile on your face as the artist captures Tintin munching into a vada as the tea stall owner makes him a glass of tea. Newspapers for sale hanging from a corner, snacks behind the glass of a counter, a bunch of bananas … all lent the illustration authenticity as it caught life at a local tea stall. Tintin’s faithful fox terrier Snowy is seen looking on.

Another sketch of Tintin, has Tintin and Snowy in a tug of war with a buffalo. The towel tied around Tintin’s head like a turban features him in a rustic avatar.

Pulikali has Tintin, Captain Haddock, Professor Calculus and the bumbling detectives Thomson and Thomson and even Snowy getting into the spirit of the dance. The detectives play the drums as Tintin and Haddock in ‘pulivesham’ dance to the beat. Professor Calculus lends laughter to the frame as he holds a gun as if hunting for real leopards.

Tintin as Mahabali with a thick moustache and sipping from a tender coconut is done in shades of gold as if ushering in prosperity for the festive season.

He gets a taste of Kerala roads as he and Snowy travel on a bicycle. That Tintin is not used to the bumpy and gutter-filled roads is seen through his expression.

All the frames by the artistes have done justice to Herge’s well-loved hero. However, one wishes that the names of the artistes were pinned up along with their illustrations. Only a couple of pictures carried the artiste’s signature.

The exhibition is a result of a workshop organised at Alliance Francaise de Trivandrum on the occasion of the exhibition ‘Tintin in Pune.’

‘Tintin in Kerala’ is on till August 13.

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