ACK Media launches complete set of Amar Chitra Katha comics

The Complete Collection that has been put together with Amar Chitra Katha's 300 most popular titles has also been launched as a tribute to Anant Pai and celebrates his birth anniversary.

There probably are few who have not enjoyed Amar Chitra Katha comics in their years of growing up. Many probably still do, to say nothing of the many children to whom the titles of Amar Chitra Katha still are introduction to the numerous tales of India.

ACK Media that owns the Amar Chitra Katha comic series has brought together the various popular titles in a single collection called The Complete Collection. The collectors' set is a series of comics spanning across diverse genres comprising 300 bestselling titles of Amar Chitra Katha.

In a conversation with afaqs!, Manas Mohan, chief operating officer, ACK Media, says, "Our various titles from different collections are available across platforms online and in physical stores. We noticed that most people these days do not just pick up a single comic book and leave it at that. Many prefer box sets and collections. The ticket size is larger now. With The Complete Collection, the intent is to invite people to pick up our entire set of titles that have been enjoyed over the years."

The collection is being offered at two price points; a collection of 300 titles is available at Rs 14,990; while a collection with 10 additional special titles will cost Rs 17,885.

The Complete Collection is also a tribute to Anant Pai or Uncle Pai as he is fondly known, and mark his 82nd birth anniversary on September 17.

Uncle Pai, who expired on February 25 last year, started the Amar Chitra Katha series in 1967 in association with India Book House, retelling Indian folklores, mythology and biographies of important Indian figures, both mythological and real-life personalities. Another popular magazine, Tinkle, was launched in 1980.

Interestingly, on his first death anniversary this year, ACK Media launched a special title on Pai.

Mohan says that a lot of the classic titles have now been re-coloured and in the recent titles, ACK Media has evolved to a new art style that is more graphic, keeping the style more contemporary and relevant.

"Clearly, the core of Amar Chitra Katha is the stories that are picked up in entirety, simplified for children to understand and enjoy, and the unique aspect of storytelling. The quality of art is also something that keeps Amar Chitra Katha very unique. Our choice of stories and people exemplifies and puts forward Indian values," says Mohan.

"Our stories, I am convinced, are evergreen. The relevance of these stories will never go down. Classically, children have been our TG (target group). But people do not outgrow Amar Chitra Katha. The pride of ownership is the father's, the happiness is the child's," he adds.