Delhi-based illustrator Raj Kamal continues his tryst with innovation. Some months ago, Scroll.in had featured work from his series Superheroes in India, which Indianised American comic book superheroes. He has now moved on to a new project: making original Indian superheroes.
He started small, with a set of characters based on food. “In India, we play it safe,” he said. “When people try to show different Indians, they show them by dress. I thought of putting life in something non-living instead, like food.”
The early characters had just names and a few abilities. As the concept evolved in his head, Kamal began to spin more elaborate histories.
“Everyone knows who Bruce Wayne and Flash are, so I did not have to do this with Superheroes in India,” he said. “These characters are fresh out of the oven. They need to have a backstory, so that people can relate to them and think this is a kind of guy who can exist.”
With these stories, his approach to the characters also changed.
“When I made the first characters, Jalebi Girl and Laddoo Boy, I began to feel that maybe they were getting kiddish,” Kamal said. “I guess I am also growing and getting more involved with these characters over time, so I want to make them more mature in my style of work. If I made the Bengali Vampire in the Jalebi Girl style, it would not have a dark side to it.”
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He started small, with a set of characters based on food. “In India, we play it safe,” he said. “When people try to show different Indians, they show them by dress. I thought of putting life in something non-living instead, like food.”
The early characters had just names and a few abilities. As the concept evolved in his head, Kamal began to spin more elaborate histories.
“Everyone knows who Bruce Wayne and Flash are, so I did not have to do this with Superheroes in India,” he said. “These characters are fresh out of the oven. They need to have a backstory, so that people can relate to them and think this is a kind of guy who can exist.”
With these stories, his approach to the characters also changed.
“When I made the first characters, Jalebi Girl and Laddoo Boy, I began to feel that maybe they were getting kiddish,” Kamal said. “I guess I am also growing and getting more involved with these characters over time, so I want to make them more mature in my style of work. If I made the Bengali Vampire in the Jalebi Girl style, it would not have a dark side to it.”
The Bengali Vampire sucks not blood but the sweet syrup of Bengali rasgullas and other desserts.
Bhaja Mukho attacks the crispy parts of samosas, leaving behind only the potato fillings.
Elasti Chhara is on a mission to free the world and its underwear from the menace of elastic.
A former sweetshop owner put out of business by a large shopping centre, Kaju Katli attacks those who eat fancy cakes and pastries.
