Thanks, Uncle Pai
SUBAJAYANTHI B
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Uncle Pai, who turned 75 recently, takes a walk down memory lane.
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Always a favourite...Anant Pai.
He is Anant Pai, but the world calls him Uncle Pai. Founder of Amar Chitra Katha and the evergreen children's magazine Tinkle, the "Father of Indian comics" turned 75 recently.
When Amar Chitra Katha was launched in 1967, Pai says he was not sure of it being a success. "Faltering steps were taken, and success was unforeseen and unplanned. If it had not been for G.L. Mirchandani of India Book House, the venture would never have kicked off."
But with Tinkle in 1980, it was a different experience. The initial 40,000 copies of the first issue of Tinkle sold out immediately. "It was an instant success," says Pai.
At school
In school, Pai used to feel his stomach turn while dissecting frogs and decided to change gear. He chose a career in editing and publishing, which led him into publishing exclusively for young readers.
Born in a coastal village in Karnataka, Pai went to a municipal school. In Mumbai, he had a hard time securing admission, as he could neither speak English nor Marathi. However, getting into Orient High School changed his life, as the teachers there pepped up his self-esteem. Uncle Pai speaks eight languages, and his love for books is "deep and profound" as he says. "I have always been surrounded by books. Rang Rekha was started in 1970 and lasted till 1998 - I was Managing Director there."
Wholesome characters
Right from the outset, Tinkle was a trendsetter. Witty stories on a fundamental thought-provoking theme, complemented by brilliantly coloured illustrations of characters children can effortlessly relate to are reasons for the magazine's success. Talking of Suppandi, Anwar, Nasruddin Hodja, Shikari Shambu and Kalia the Crow, Pai ascribes a purpose to the evolution of each character. "Suppandi was fashioned as a hero who does not achieve in an overtly competitive world," says Pai who believes his achievement has largely been the fact that he has been able to reach out to children all over India, thus fostering national integration. "Readers of Amar Chitra Katha are now familiar with the various cultures." Pai has also written books on Personality Development for students, teachers and parents. "Today's world is highly competitive and people lose the essence of themselves. Such books help them discover themselves. My vision is to see India as a flourishing and great country in the next few years." Pai's 50-year-long career is packed with success stories. But, when Pai walks down memory lane, he recalls the elaborate welcome ceremonies all over the country — be it in Thiruvananthapuram, Shillong or Jaipur — as the most rewarding experience. "When zealous kids greet me by adorning the path with flowers and waving copies of the Tinkle, there is nothing more that I can ask for. Such instances may have been few, but forever etched in my memory."
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