Charm of graphic narration in Abeer Kapoor’s ‘Zoraver and the Lost Gods’

Unlike in a regular novel, where the pace of the narrative can vary from brisk to leisurely, the graphic novel allows no such privilege. It has to move, and the action has to unfold. There is no room for extended reflection. The action has to keep the reader on the edge of the seat, as it were.

Graphic novel ‘Zoraver and the Lost Gods’ follows the unforgiving narrative regime of constant movement. It revolves around the political theme of the British colonialists taking away the wealth of the country in explicit ways, but in devious and furtive ways as well. This is not an aspect that has not been told in fictionalised form, which holds the attention of the reader. We have had a romantic hint of it in Wilkie Collins’ ‘Moonstone’, published in 1868. In Collins’ romance, it was the story of the mysterious Orient more than anything else.

In this book, game designer Abeer Kappoor and graphic designer Ujan Dutta reveal the political dimension without eschewing the anti-imperialistic rhetoric. It is told as a story, a riveting one. Its cast of characters is fascinating: from Ajatashatru and the Ajivikas to Warren Hastings to Dadabhai Naoroji to Kaiser Wilhelm II, emperor of Germany during the First World War. The locale stretches from London and Cambridge to Lucknow and Calcutta, from Harappa to the caves in Gaya in Bihar. Do not be surprised if you find echoes of Rider Haggard’s ‘King Solomon’s Mines’, published in 1885!

Unlike many novels written in India, the story of this graphic novel does not have any trace of autobiography of either the writer or the illustrator. It dwells fully in the story of sometime-ago and that of characters both fictional and historical. This is quite a refreshing break. There is also the teasing romantic element in the story of Zoraver’s friendship with Amrita in England, and fleeting love between Zoraver and Gloria Clive in Fort William. Zoraver is not to be distracted.

The book hangs on to the threat of superstitious belief and legend of a ring with mysterious knowledge, and it has the English and German protagonists chasing the ancient treasures of India. There is the patriotic dimension, with a secret society in India trying to thwart the foreigners attempting to get the ancient artefacts.

‘Zoraver and the Lost Gods’ revives the magical art of pure storytelling with enough twists and turns, and never a moment to sit back. The language perforce is simple and straight. There are no literary embellishments.

In the acutely self-conscious literary mood of the times, Abeer Kapoor and Ujan Dutta take the reader out for an imaginary adventure with enough of history thrown in to make it thrillingly real.

Though this book, they have given a timely reminder that the charm of literature is in telling stories.

— The reviewer is a senior journalist based in New Delhi