Conventionally, comics are often written off as a mere juvenile form of entertainment. Is this dismissal justified? Or can there be profound insights awaiting us within the vibrant panels of graphic novels? How do comics challenge conventional knowledge systems and shape cultural narratives? Can comics serve as conduits for social change? To explore this dynamic intersection of comics and academia, the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) successfully organised Comics Conclave 2.0 in its campus on March 16 and 17, 2024.

Organised by Art@IITGN and the Curiosity Lab, IITGN, this year’s conclave brought together a diverse group of comics enthusiasts, artists, writers, and scholars for an immersive exploration of the vibrant world of comics and visual storytelling.

The first day of the two-day Conclave kicked off with a welcome talk by Prof Jaison Manjaly, Coordinator of the Comics Conclave and Jasubhai Memorial Chair Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences jointly with Cognitive and Brain Sciences, IITGN, setting the stage for two days of enriching discussions and creative exchanges. Highlighting the importance of engaging with art and benefiting from it, Prof Manjaly said, “We are a University like institution with exciting and innovative initiatives — where art, technology, and science can complement each other.”

Attendees were treated to a captivating book launch session featuring the unveiling of ‘A Dream Machine’ by Appupen and ‘The Moral Contagion’ by Sarnath Banerjee, two highly-anticipated additions to the world of graphic novels.

In his talk about the book, Appupen elaborated on AI and its implications, which he deemed to be one of the most urgent stories of our time. Commenting on his treatment of AI technology and human responsibility, he said, “It does not create. It does not think. It reproduces. Full stop.”

The following panel discussions pondered questions on human creativity, corporate responsibility and AI Ethics.

Insightful sessions and discussions unfolded throughout the day, exploring various fascinating themes such as History, Literature, Politics, Famine, Partition, Visual language, etc. Renowned figures in the comics industry, including Ikroop Sandhu, Vishwajyoti Ghosh, Debkumar Mitra, and Pinaki De, shared their works, talked about their process and engaged in thought-provoking discussions with attendees.

In the evening, ‘The Land of Good Intentions’ and ‘The Eternal Swamp’, a theatrical comics lecture by Abhijit Banerjee (MIT) and Sarnath Banerjee, were screened. Introducing the film, Prof Argha Manna, coordinator of the event, expressed his aim to “bridge the gap between academia and comics.”

Prof Rajat Moona, Director, IITGN, also attended the film screening. He conveyed his excitement to cultivate the emergence of comics as a medium, saying, “At IITGN, we aim to propagate interdisciplinary work. All our thinking is interdisciplinary. A picture can speak a thousand words, but comics speak even more than that…In a tech institute, what is the role of art? Art gives completeness in our pursuit of leadership and excellence.”

Furthermore, Sarnath Banerjee stressed on the role of imagination and the cross-pollination of imagination in academia. The day concluded with a stimulating exhibition of graphic narratives and comics, offering attendees a glimpse into the rich visual storytelling from various artists.

The second day of the Conclave commenced with a series of engaging sessions focused on writing and editing for comics, visual narratives, and unheard voices.

Workshops led by artists provided attendees with hands-on learning experiences on the craft of making comics and graphic novels, as well as the exploration of art and politics through drawing banners. These interactive sessions fostered creativity and collaboration among participants, further enriching the conclave experience.

“The conclave was a uniquely curated patchwork of artist ideas, giving the observer a personal look into the art process. The workshops and the opportunity to interact with the artists also contributed to the immersive experience. It was the perfect place for creatives to do what they do best: connect and create,” said Avanti Karmarkar, an MSc Cognitive Science student who attended the Conclave.

“Art@IITGN has created an intellectual space that recognizes, celebrates, and examines Indian visual culture. Comics Conclave 2.0 was in the continuation of its initiative of bringing the Comics Studies community together from across India. For researchers of comics and budding graphic novelists like me, this initiative has created a space where you feel ‘belonged’ and ‘at home,’” mentioned Dr Somanand Saraswati, Researcher of Comics Studies, Visiting Faculty at PDEU.

Comics Conclave 2.0 reaffirmed IITGN’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and celebrating the diverse voices within the comics community.

For more information and highlights from Comics Conclave 2.0, visit the official website.

AP/GP/JD

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