They were the best travel companions on the long train journeys during summer vacations. We would rush through it, in anticipation to get our hands on the subsequent volume at the next big station. Yes, it was the Amar Chitra Katha that kept us riveted then and now.

For all fans (young and old) who have come under its spell, Wednesday held a special surprise. The favourite comic series was launched for the first time in its virtual avatar. Fans from all over the country got a chance to interact with the brains behind Amar Chitra Katha at the launch of its new title — ‘Thanjavur – City of Brihadeeswara' — on Facebook.

The new title of Amar Chitra Katha narrates the story of the city Thanjavur (or Tanjore), which is home to the 1000-year-old Brihadeeswara temple. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Thanjavur was the capital of the Chola empire for many years. The comic book takes the readers on a fascinating journey through the history of Thanjavur and the myths and legends associated with it. “We have just finished comics on Konark, Hampi and Tirupati along with many earlier ones. In this case we decided it would be the legends surrounding Thanjavur and the Big Temple and some other temples nearby,” said Ms Reena Puri, Editor, Amar Chitra Katha.

Going forward, ACK Media is looking at history, mythology, folktales and biographies, and plans to republish discontinued comics like Yellagarada Subba Rao and others over the next one year.

While temples form a large part of its collection, the ACK team is open to exploring other places of historical significance. “We have not confined ourselves to temples. We will be taking up Indian classics, both ancient and contemporary,” said Ms Puri.

Their next big offering will be a collection on sports personalities.

>niveditag @ thehindu.co.in

>priya.s@thehindu.co.in

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