Studio Eeksaurus launches graphic novel based on National Award-winning short film

Bengaluru: Film production company Studio Eeksaurus officially launched its graphic novel, PNK Panicker's 'Ghost Stories', on the final day of its exhibition at the Bangalore International Centre on Sunday.

The graphic novel, penned by Studio Eeksaurus director Suresh Eriyat, is based on the National Award-winning animated short film 'Kandittund!' ('Seen It!' in Malayalam) by Adithi Krishnadas. The book revolves around the ghost stories told by Eriyat's father, PNK Panicker, and brings to life the oral traditions of Indian storytelling through animation.

The launch event featured talks by Eriyat and Adithi, along with an interactive session with the 95-year-old storyteller, Panicker.

The exhibition, which highlighted Studio Eeksaurus’ 15-year journey, showcased seven of the studio's iconic films. These included 'Fisherwoman' and 'TukTuk', which won the studio’s first National Award in 2015, and the critically acclaimed clay animation film 'Tokri', which won the National Award in 2017.

Visitors also enjoyed guided tours and comic-making workshops hosted by the studio’s founders.

Susmita Mohanty, spaceship designer and co-founder of MAD Salon+Lab, the organisation that came up with the idea for the exhibition, stressed on the importance of showcasing Studio Eeksaurus’ world-class animation work. “In India, commercial animation often tries to imitate the West. Studio Eeksaurus, however, captures Indian-ness in their stories, and they do so unabashedly and with elan,” she remarked.