IITGN Concludes Comic Conclave 3.0

The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) concluded the highly anticipated Comics Conclave 3.0 on April 6, 2025. The two-day event, a flagship initiative of the institute, brought together a distinguished gathering of artists, writers, scholars, and art enthusiasts from across the country to explore the intersection of visual and graphic narratives in education, research, and social discourse. Held at the IITGN campus, it was organised by Prof Argha Manna, Artists-in-Residence, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Prof Jaison Manjaly, Jasubhai Memorial Chair Professor, Humanities and Social Sciences (Jointly with Cognitive and Brain Sciences department) at the IITGN campus. 

This year’s event focused on regional storytelling, sparking rich conversations surrounding politics, memory, and environmental justice. Renowned cartoonist Sarbajit Sen shared insights into his creative process, highlighting the significant intersection between personal and political themes in his comics. Rohan Chakravarty, a cartoonist, illustrator, and naturalist, delved into the creation of environmental comic strips, emphasising the importance of field visits and research in comic-making. Following these talks, a panel discussion on ‘Social and Environmental Justice through Comics,’ moderated by Prof Nishaant Choksi, Associate Professor, Humanities and Social Sciences, explored the pedagogical implications and the role of comic formats in engaging with societal issues.

In addition to the panel, writer Likla Lall hosted a thought-provoking session titled ‘A Gallery in Your Hands,’ discussing the significance of creating art books for children. Artist and illustrator Kripa Bhatia presented a lecture on the concept of the ‘flaneur’ and how her work reflects the female gaze, while Canato Jimo, illustrator and art director at Pratham Books, shared his insights on the creation of picture books. These sessions were followed by a panel discussion with Lopa Shah, Founder, ELICIT Foundation, on ‘Art Education for Children: Looking for a New Pedagogy.’

The second day of the conclave featured a series of talks on the convergence of comics with other media. Dr Haris Qadeer, Assistant Professor, University of Delhi, delivered a lecture on ‘Spectre(s) of Superman,’ examining desi superheroes and Indian visual storytelling. Joshy Benedict, artist and animator, shared his journey behind the creation of his celebrated graphic novel ‘Pig Flip’, while Harsho Mohan Chattoraj, graphic novelist and illustrator, discussed the evolution of one’s style in comic-making. Arunava Banerjee and Dr Sekhar Mukherjee spoke on the intersection of cinema and comics, with topics such as ‘From Reels to Panels: How Cinema Became Comics’ and ‘Graphic Tales from My Backyard.’ respectively. The event culminated in a panel discussion, ‘Comics and Film: Commons and Opposites,’ chaired by Don Chacko Palathara, Artist-in-Residence, Humanities and Social Sciences.

In addition to the intellectually stimulating sessions, the event featured a comics exhibition, a flea market, and a series of engaging workshops with artists and illustrators like Sarbajit Sen and Suman Choudhary. A key highlight was the screening of Art Spiegelman: Disaster is My Muse (2024), directed by Molly Bernstein and Phillip Dolin, marking the film’s debut screening in India.

Reflecting on the success of the event, Prof Argha Manna stated, “The Comics Conclave was established three years ago to bridge the gap between academic inquiry and creative practice. This event not only fosters a culture of art but also emphasises its role as a critical mode of thought and action. We are thrilled with the overwhelming response this year and look forward to expanding this event in the future.”