SRIJAMYAHAM, A Unique Graphic novel series in Pattachitra form that has now becoming the buzzword all around the world among readers from all works of life. Please know the journey of SRIJAMYAHAM so far.

A Brief about SRIJAMYAHAM:

Pattachitra the most cherished art form of Odisha is the verge of extinction. SRIJAMYAHAM, an attempt with an objective of converging this celebrated art form in graphic novel and animated tales along with generating employment for thousands of traditional Pattachitra artists of the region opening new avenues of a better livelihood.

The Epic Graphic Novel is also intended to make our younger generation aware about our roots and original culture having a rich tradition of spiritual practices and rituals. As Graphic novel medium is more accepted among children and young audience, this is a unique attempt not only to make them aware but also make them feel proud about their rich cultural and spiritual tradition.

GRAPHIC NOVEL:

The term "graphic novel" was first coined in 1964 by Richard Kyle in a newsletter published by the Comic Amateur Press Alliance. The current global market comic books is estimated to be well over $950 Million out of which $385 Million is said to be contributed by periodical comics. The number of readers in has also seen a tremendous upswing with growth rate of an average of 25% per year.

INCEPTION:

Way back in late 80s, our own film production house had produced couple of hit films like Bhakta Salbeg and School Master. Soon after these successful hits we planned for an action adventure War epic film on Lord Shri Jagannath which is very famous in Odisha and the story is widely known as KANCHI ABHIYAAN. Yet somehow due to budget constraints and scale, the project had been shelved. The film was visually written by the legendary screenplay writer, Prayag Raj. After decades we have decided to go for the animated feature on the same subject which eventually had been in the pipeline pursuing for various national level co-producers. The film is already copyrighted in the same name of SRIJAMYAHAM.

In 2014-15, with an objective of getting a populist measure, we have planned to start the graphic novel series in the initial stage and based on the popularity we would bring back the magic on the silver screen later to have maximum impact. PACAD Comics had come up with this pioneering idea and endeavour in developing an international standard Graphic novel in multiple languages looking at the emerging trend of the generation today. We have currently published English, Hindi, Odia and Bengali Versions. The book shall be available in all current platforms.

JOURNEY AND THE ADVANTAGES:

 Despite the Indian market being constantly opening up to comics and graphic novels; the supply has been less or of not so great value.

 The demand is going to get more furious in the very close future. There is no clear market leader yet.

 We can have the early arrival advantage for the long term benefits most profoundly making it in traditional art form Pattachitra carrying the great epic tales of Lord Shree Jagannath.

 Recently the ongoing popular event like Comic Con India had given immense boost to the Industry and allied merchandise product/s, licenses and intellectual property rights of the content.

 Along with the Graphic novel, all the merchandise items e.g. custom designed SRIJAMYAHAM badges, toys and fancy gift items. Wardrobes like the SRIJAMYAHAM theme T-shirts, custom designed logo plated belts, laptop skins and mobile guards would also be the part of such venture.

 We have already tapped into the pool of spiritual and religious readers that enjoyed the original book; they shall enjoy the new avatar of their favourite mythological hero.

 We already had been closing on to 7000 plus sales figure as the subscription drive is going on for first 8 issues of the series.

 We also are planning to have a brail version of such book that can also enchant the blind readers with a special printing technology to feel the graphic portions of the novel which would be a unique attempt.

 The series of Graphic novel SRIJAMYAHAM would have 100 issues to complete the epic tales of Lord Shree Jagannath. This would obviously grasp the market slowly but profoundly to establish this as a part of modern urban culture.

 SRIJAMYAHAM has been projected to have a grand launch at Comic Con Express this year.

 The Comic shall be brought into the market with advertising campaign that shall be aimed at making this the next big thing in the comic book arena. PR events shall be held at Pan-India level.

 During the release of the Graphic Novel on the auspicious occasion of Navakalebar and Rathyatra 2015, millions of the readers have joined our free reading sessions for 12 days as thousands bought the copies.

 The graphic novel is already showcased in INNOVEX, a platform for innovative start ups having tangible products, service prototypes facilitated by CII and Young India.

 The Novel is also received by Shree Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister of State, Petroleum and Natural Gas in INNOVEX Conclave 2015.

 Subscription Drive was also carried out at National Book and Trade Fair in January, 2016 followed by the same in Bhubaneswar Book Fair in March, 2016. The response was overwhelming in both the occasions earning huge critics’ accolades, appreciations from all works of life along with the jump in sales and subscription figures.

 Well before Rathyatra in 2016, E-Pub versions of the first issue in 4 languages with second issue in English, Odia and Hindi has been released by acknowledged litterateurs, renowned laureates of the State at Buddha Mandir, Bhubaneswar.

 The Popular E-Pub Android App Dailyhunt have released the online E-Pub versions of Srijamyham 01 in 4 languages and Srijamyham 02 in 3 languages.

 On the auspicious occasion of Rathyatra, Jagannath Dham, Puri, the second issue in all 3 languages has been dedicated on Taladhwaja Rath, the chariot of Lord Shree Balabhadra followed by unveiling of all the second issue versions by Hon’ble Minister of Law & Panchayatraj, Govt. Of Odisha. Soon after the books have been dedicated to Lord Shree Jagannath abode Nandighosh, HIS chariot.

 Next day on 7th July, 2016, the books had been released for the public reading on Pan Indian National Language Conference by Padmashree Dr. Debiprasanna Pattnaik presided over by Dr. Shankar Lal Purohit with the presence of Dr. Prasanna Kumar Patsani, Dr. Debendra Mansingh, poet Sankarshan Parida, Professor Shashanka Chudamani and the creator of Srijamyaham Ranajit Mohanty.

 All the speakers unanimously considered Srijamyaham as a profound noble step to revive the step motherly attitude towards Child literature in the region is at its peak. It’s definitely an incredible contribution to contemporary literature scene in Odisha.  During Comic Con India at in September 2016, SRIJAMYAHAM has been presented before two Legendary Comics artists of our time, Dan Parent of Archie’s Comics and David Lloyd, the illustrator of V for Vendetta for their reviews who appreciated the uniqueness and efforts to bring out such a graphic novel.  Copies of Graphic novel series are also presented to Rajiv Chilakapudi of Greengold Animation, the creator of Chhota Bheem.  The movement is also showcasing huge response in Rajdhani Book Fair 2017, Bhubaneswar along with KADAMBINI Patrika Haat and several other forums.  National Distributors like STORY MIRROR also started distributing hard copies in Mumbai and Delhi with an unexpected response from both the cities.  Regional home delivery portal MADSAN also started delivering the copies in the cities of Odisha.

AVENUES FOR OTHER FORMATS AND MEDIUMS

Public acceptance and popularity of such content in this new form have definitely long term commericial hints for TV Series or/& feature film/s. We have already got thousands of queries for animated versions of the same in DVDs, TV serials or/ Feature length films. So such potential should be cashed on time would be a smart and intelligent business move. We are also open for such collaborations with producers, TV channels from all around. Your kind patronage to the project in your capacity would be highly obliged and acknowledged.

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“PACAD Comics”, 1215/1627, Khandagiri Bari, Bhubaneswar: 751030, Khorda, Odisha, Phone: +919437044079, Email: [email protected], www.srijamyaham.com