Wrestler Dara Singh to feature in comic book series

Neha Saini

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 29

Legendary wrestler Dara Singh, who defeated some of the fiercest contemporaries of his time and gained fame globally, is soon going to be featured in a comic book series. The biographical comic book will focus on some of the lesser known facts about his childhood, his first stint in “pehalwani” and later years.

The project is being helmed by Vindoo Dara Singh, Dara Singh’s son and the series will be launched on the late wrestler’s birth anniversary in November. Amritsar-based graphic artist George Emmanual, who is working on the project and conceived the idea, says that the comic book series is an attempt to revive Punjab’s iconic figures as role models for the current generation.

“Youth in Punjab need role models like him, especially in times like these when the state is losing its young population to drugs. Most comic books are based on fictional characters, this book will present Dara Singh as the real life superhero, who was a world wrestling champion and an inspiration. Right from his brand of raw, overpowering aggression inside the wrestling ring to his discipline and humility outside it, the aim is to present the lesser known side of the Rustom-e-Hind,” Emmanual said.

The comic book will be released in volumes and the illustration will be done in photorealistic technique, encompassing paintings, drawing and other graphic media. “We have been working on the project for the past six months and the process is near completion. The idea is to market the series keeping in mind the young adult readers. Once the series is launched, it will also be available online to reach out to readers overseas as well,” informs George Emmanual.

George has earlier worked on a graphic novel based on the life of Sikh General Hari Singh Nalwa and feels that the history of Punjab has abundant real-life superheroes. “These real life iconic figures make for much more interesting subject than the fictional stuff popular today. Their stories need to be retold,” he said.

The super wrestler

• Dara Singh was born at Dharmuchak village in Amritsar in 1928. His first big professional fight was in 1954, in which he defeated Tiger Joginder Singh, another legendary Indian wrestler.
• In 1968, he defeated Lou Thesz to become world champion. He was also the first sportsman to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha. He passed away in 2012 due to heart attack.
• His younger brother Randhawa was also a known professional wrestler. To honour the achievements of Dara Singh, the World Wrestling Entertainment bestowed on him a place in the Hall of Fame-2018 earlier this year.