‘Imagery in comics enlightens kids most effectively’ | Lucknow News
Lucknow: Comics continue to play powerful role in shaping children’s understanding of history, culture and social values, a point strongly underscored at the Koshala Literature Festival during a session titled ‘Tales We Carry’.The discussion featured Amar Chitra Katha executive editor Reena I Puri and author-editor Ashwitha Jayakumar in conversation with Arsh Ali Chandel. The speakers said India had a long tradition of visual storytelling — from Ragmala paintings to Amar Chitra Katha — helping young readers grasp complex ideas through simple imagery. Children, they noted, connected instantly with colours, characters and short narratives, making history feel accessible and engaging.Puri explained that while writing biographies, authors selected relatable childhood moments or defining incidents from a person’s life. Stories such as of Albert Einstein struggling in school or young Akbar (Mughal emperor) missing lessons showed children how even great personalities were once like them. “Every great man starts dreaming as a child,” she said.Jayakumar added that comics could address sensitive themes effectively, sharing the story of an soldier in ancient times coping with battle trauma. Visuals, she said, often expressed emotions more powerfully than long text.
