A Letter to Our 'Uncle Anant Pai'

Today, (Feb 24, 2011) marks a solemn moment, as the newspaper declared the passing away of Uncle 'Anant' Pai. The name is familiar to millions of Indians the world over. As children, many (like me) have grown up reading, understanding and appreciating stories, morals, values of characters that are etched in our minds to this day.

Krishna, Rama, Mahabharat, ... Akbar-Birbal, Champak, Tinkle ... Supandi, Shambhu Shikari... are all still fresh in our minds, even as many of us now read or narrate these to our little ones. The man behind 'Amar Chitra Katha' the Indian comic movement, Anant Pai, was like a friend; the Tinkle issues used to have a section which invited readers to write to 'Uncle Pai', and many of us had probably even written. We may never know, whether our letters were read, but it was indeed a pleasure to receive a reply signed 'Uncle Pai', then on.

Known as the 'Father of Indian Comic Books', Anant Pai has left behind a legacy, that will continue as long as we believe in reading stories that define our values for life. These days, children have innumerable options, and Disney and Pixar may have invaded our living rooms. But, a visit to a good (kids) bookstore, is not likely to end, without so much as a glance (if not a perusal) of the colourful, lined Amar Chitra Katha volumes.

From the comments on news posts that report this sad story, it's understood, that we all will miss Uncle, and as with many of them who have posted, at least I think I'll continue buying Amar Chitra Katha volumes for my kids, to do my bit for keeping this legacy alive.