The English Literary Society of IP College organised a talk with Graphic Novelist Amruta Patil on November 4th, 2016. The event titled, “Blood and Flowers” was themed after her latest Graphic Novel, Sauptik: Blood and Flowers. The conversation was chaired by Dr. Neetu Das, a poet, caricaturist and an associate professor at the college. The event was attended by students and faculty members from across the University.
Released on the 3rd, Sauptik: Blood and Flowers is Patil’s third Graphic Novel. This book is second in line based on the Mahabharta after Adi Parva: Churning the Ocean (2012). Her work also includes Kari, her first Graphic Novel, released in 2008. Patil is also a freelance painter and writer.
While in conversation, Amruta told the audience about the themes and inspirations for her graphic novels. Majorly based on ecology and mythological iconography, the greatest inspirations of her work, her last two novels explore and question the existing iconography and attempt to present a completely different view of the epic characters. Kari, which in her word is the novel closest to her, is based on an urban queer tale, exploring feminine friendships and lost love. One of the most significant features, is the representation of characters. They do not conform to stereotyped gender perceptions. Patil also talked about her experiences of working on a Graphic Novel in India, her journey of learning to paint and the distinctive features of the font used by her in the Graphic Novels.
Post discussion, the speaker engaged with the Chair and the audience during the Q & A session. The audience further discussed with her the background of the novels, symbolism used, her journey as a graphic novelist and much more. Drawing towards the end, the members of the Literary Society of IP College expressed their gratitude and congratulated her on the recent release of her third graphic novel.
Priyal Mahtta
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