Picturing The Nation: Cultural Memory, Resistance, And Tradition In Indian Graphic Narratives

Abstract

Indian English graphic novels have become a lively and interesting way to tell stories, mixing words and images to explore what makes India unique—its history, traditions, and memories. This paper looks at how some Indian graphic novels rewrite and rethink India’s past, myths, and modern social and political issues. Using ideas from visual semiotics and cultural studies, it focuses on how pictures tell stories that become a powerful way to express cultural resistance and shape identity. By closely examining works like Amruta Patil’s Adi Parva, Orijit Sen’s The River of Stories, and Sarnath Banerjee’s Corridor, the paper shows how each panel is packed with meaning that goes beyond just the words. These stories cover a wide range of topics—like environmental issues, city life, myths, caste and gender struggles—and they paint a picture of India not as a single, unified nation, but as a complex mix of different cultures talking to each other. The paper also looks at how traditional Indian symbols, myths, and current political debates are all woven into the artwork, giving us a deeper look at how India’s identity is changing. By decoding the way these stories are told visually, it becomes clear how graphic novels challenge official histories, bring voice to those who have been unheard, and open up new ways to remember and understand culture. In the end, this paper argues that Indian English graphic novels are more than art—they are spaces where culture is negotiated, resisted, and remembered. They invite readers to think critically about what it means to belong to a nation and who gets to tell that story.