Voices of Marginalities: History, Nation and Contemporaneity in the Graphic Novels ‘The River of Stories’ and ‘Bhimayana: Incidents in the Life of Bhimarao Ramji Ambedkar’

Abstract

In the present research paper, the researchers aim to highlight the marginalities and social exclusion reflected in the context of the graphic novels, The River of Stories by Orijit Sen and Bhimayana: Incidents in the Life of Bhimarao Ramji Ambedkar by Srividya Natrajan et al. This aspect is treated by the Indian novelist earlier than this. But with the rise of the graphic novel and narratives, it becomes significant. The artist, with a varied background, utilized illustrations, images, colours, and text to hone their skills, resulting in a unique presentation effect. From ancient times, the voices of the socially excluded have been ignored. The research methodology adopted for this study combines descriptive and analytical approaches, utilizing illustrations from the novels to support the analysis. Through the present research, the researcher found that the voices of marginality are no longer heard by the established section of society, or in other words, superficially it seems, but beneath the reality, things are still the same. It is evident in the life of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Here, it has been demonstrated that the Indian Graphic novel is a significant phenomenon, utilizing the diverse issues of the contemporary world to present a unique and earnest portrayal of the problems through pictures and images. The experimentation of the Indian graphic novelist shows that they have created new possibilities in world literature.