Graphic novel brings out Sita's angst

Arni who found international acclaim at the age of 12 with her book The Mahabharatha: A Child's View collaborated with Patua artist Moyna Chitrakar to portray a Sita that the current generation could identify with.

The docile and soft Sita of Ramayana may not be a role model for most women today, however, author Samhita Arni in a new graphic novel has brought out the bolder colours of the epic character."There's a wonderful poem that's written on a wall of a Thai temple where Ravana confesses his love to Sita and how he knows his love will kill and destroy him and yet he loves her. I think it’s quite beautiful and creates a different image of these characters and also different image of love," she says.Arni, whose book has made it to the New York’s best seller, featured in the fourth "Bookaroo" book festival that was held in the national capital from November 25 to 27.
Speaking of her experience at the festival, Arni says, "Although my session at the festival was for 12-16 years of age group, children as young as 8 years old had joined. The book is not restricted to any age group or language due to the visual treatment of the subject."Her next book, she says would also be based on the Ramayan but in the setting of 21st century and as a fictional thriller. PTI