The Laughter Mela

Dilli Haat was buzzing more than usual. The parking lot was choked and tickets were flying off at the entry.

Even for a Saturday noon,Dilli Haat was buzzing more than usual. The parking lot was choked and tickets were flying off at the entry. Regular shoppers had the company of comic lovers dressed as their favourite wizards and superheros,attending the first ever Indian Comic Convention. Day One of the two-day affair had readers from all age groups thronging the 12-odd stalls,looking out for discounts.

Old-timers like Amar Chitra Katha and National Book Trust took a backseat,allowing newcomers to come into the limelight. Among the forerunners was four-year-old Vimanika comics,that chose the occasion to launch its new graphic novel The Sixth Legend of Karna,Book 2,that follows the trials of the first sikh superhero

Daljeet Singh. We were so excited,we didnt even have time to decorate the venue, said Karan Vir Arora,CEO of Vimanika Comics. In a stall close-by,publishers of the bimonthly design magazine Creative Gaga were launching their third edition,for March.

Such conventions will help showcase our skills and give us exposure, said N Rajesh Kumar,an art director with Campfire graphic novels,that started three years ago. We can directly interact with the readers, he added. Kumar recommended their graphic rendition of the story of Sita,which took six months to draw. His team of eight illustrators and 12 colourists has worked on 47 titles,from classics to biographies,mythology and fiction.

Launching their company at the convention were the founders of Buzzinga,an online store that sells posters from all genres and delivers them home. If you count today,we are one day old, said

Kunal Kapoor,one of the five co-founders of the start up. The unavailability of posters of their superheroes led the recent graduates to take initiative. We decided to design and source posters, added Kapoor,as he informed a customer that all posters of Big Bang Theory,a popular American sitcom,were already sold out.

Apart from the publications,head to the convention today for special workshops by eminent graphic artists. Also lined-up is a Life Time Achievement Award ceremony that will be held for Anant Pai,creator of Tinkle and Amar Chitra Katha.

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