Bolti Lakeerain : An indigenous comic book

If you think comics is just western art focused on superheroes, you should change your perception now. A new comic book titled 'Bolti Lakeerain' has hit the market now. Completely indigenous creation and you can call it a book for the people by the people.

This is the collection of some of the numerous comics gathered together during the last five years. These are not merely ink lines sketched on paper aimlessly but each one narrates a story with a significant meaning behind it. These comics are created by the common people living in distinct places; e.g. from Kakapeer to Kashmir in Pakistan. In these comics they narrate real stories of their day today life.

These are the stories, that were narrated to us during the workshops, helped to open debate in the society on several social issues. People who attended the workshop are of the view that this skill has got immense significance in their lives as a unique means to express themselves. This method is so interesting, easy and effective that just with the help of two A-4 sized paper and pen it makes each one of them capable to bring out their perils and plights. Simplicity is in the core of each story and the same echoes in comics they create. Their lifestyle, culture and their verbal relation to the people living in the community- each line they draw cover every aspects of their life.

These workshops were organised in villages, cities, schools, universities in collaboration with different organizations to impart the skill of comics making to the people living in that area and to equip them with the art of self expression. Some of the comics are created by those who cannot even read or write but they successfully expressed themselves through pictures. The editors of the book say, “we are printing only few among the numerous comics. The purpose of compiling this book is to spread the thoughts of common people to masses. Book has a foreword by Dr. Muhammad Ali Siddiqui.

The book was compiled by Nida Shams and Sharad Sharma who has trained several common people in South Asia in this kind of communication methodology.

Published by World Comics Network, which is a collective of cartoonists, media persons and grassroots activists. World Comics promotes comics as a communication tool and as mode of self-expression in remote and difficult areas South Asia and other countries.

Nida Shams

Karachi, Pakistan

The books are priced at Rs. 200 inside Pakistan and South Asia and $15 outside South Asia.

email to order book

nida.shams@gmail.com

Hyderabad, Sindh - May 2010

Agahi – Human Development Organization and World Comics Network – Pakistan organized a Training of Trainers Workshop on Grassroots Comics in Hyderabad from 21 – 23 May 2010. Youth group, theater artists and activists of Sindh attended the workshop.

From the Land of the Sufis - May 2010, Makli - Sindh

A Three-day training was organized in Makli, Thatta for Field-based Teachers’ on Environmental Education & Grassroots Comics as a Teaching-Learning Tool. The workshop was conducted by Muhammad Zafar Khan and Nida Shams, World Comics Network - Pakistan and organized by Indus for All Programme, WWF – Pakistan from 11 – 13 May 2010. 24 teachers from different parts of the Sindh attended this workshop enthusiastically and made amazing stories on environmental issues of their region.

COMICS FOR BEHAVIORAL CHANGE - April 2010, Rawalpindi

The Four-day Training of Trainers Workshop on Grassroots Comics “COMICS FOR BEHAVIORAL CHANGE” was held in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The workshop was organized by Insan Foundation Trust and conducted by Nida Shams, World Comics Network – Pakistan held from 19 -22 April 2010. 12 participants attended workshop from Peshawar, Charsadda, Karak, Rajanpur, Chakwal, Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

COMICS POWER FOR YOUTH - March 2010, University of Karachi

22nd – 26th March - A Training of Trainers workshop for Mass Communication Students was organized at University of Karachi, Pakistan conducted by Nida Shams

Comics Workshop with Balidya Town Schools - 17 & 18 March 2010, Karachi

A grassroots comics workshop was organized from 17 – 18 March 2010 at City District Government School of Balidya Town, Karachi. Workshop was conducted by Nida Shams from World Comics Network – Pakistan and Abida Naz and attended by 40 students and teachers. Participants produced wall poster comics on social issues of the country.

7th March, 2010

7th March - A Comics Exhibition of South Asia on International Woman's Day Celebration was organized at Press Club, Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan