Discussing Bangabandhu's Amar Dekha Naya Chin

Comics in Bangla have long been treasured by readers. Famous Bangali author Sunil Gongopadhay wrote heartwarming comics for the Indian 'Desh' magazine regularly. Progoti Publications leveraged comics to spread tales of the Russian Revolution and communist thoughts, capturing the interest of the youth. Meanwhile, the Islami Foundation released comics that narrated stories of prominent Islamic figures, Islamic revolutionary events, and historical sagas, all enhanced with colourful illustrations and captivating dialogues that engaged readers.

Various other cherished Bengali comic series still attract a large audience and fetch high prices in the marketplace.

Recently, a significant addition was made with the publication of a Graphic Novel authored by the Father of the Nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The novel, titled 'Amar Dekha Naya Chin (The New China, as I saw),' was released at this year's Ekushey Book Fair, marking an important moment in the rather short history of Bangla comics.

The graphic novel, issued by the Center for Research and Information, is skillfully designed to provide a captivating, straightforward, and exciting story. Radwan Mujib Siddique, the grandson of the Father of the Nation, is the publisher, with Saboshaci Mistri overseeing the design and Siddique Ahmed assisting with the story and dialogues.

Featuring vibrant four-colour illustrations, printed on A5 paper, and bound in a paperback format, the novel is available for Tk 490, equivalent to 12 $.

The narrative explores Bangabandhu's 1952 trip to China, where he participated in a Peace Conference at the invitation of the Chinese Communist Party. Notes taken during his visit in 1954 have resurfaced 65 years later, illuminating a critical historical episode. Set against the aftermath of World War II, a period during which many countries, including newly independent India and Pakistan, were recovering, Sheikh Mujib's journey occurred amidst a notably friendly period between India and China, symbolised by the phrase "Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai (Indians and Chinese are brothers)."

The graphic novel carefully details Sheikh Mujib's insights into various facets of Chinese society such as education, healthcare, industry, and agriculture. It emphasises elements like women's empowerment, industrial ownership, and reforms in the penal system, illustrating the achievements of post-revolution China, which earned Bangabandhu's admiration.

The graphic novel boasts of impressive aesthetics with sharp printing and expert use of colour that enhance the reader's experience. Dialogues are creatively formatted to resemble modern messaging apps, with different colors indicating different speakers. 

Dialogues from Sheikh Mujib are uniquely marked in a light biscuit color for quick identification. Although the narrative is more concise than the original text, it successfully captures the core themes. 

The preface offers a tantalising preview that adds depth to the reading experience. The language is straightforward, utilising a top-down approach for explanations and a left-to-right narrative structure. For clarity, certain explanations that span two pages, particularly noted on pages 12 and 13, might require re-reading, but this is only necessary once throughout the book.

Sheikh Mujib's visit to China is also chronicled in his autobiography, "Unfinished Memoir." The graphic novel vividly illustrates his interactions, capturing his dynamic personality as he engages with children and speaks with locals using British etiquette or Chinese phrases. His respectful and genuinely interested manner inspires pride and admiration. Despite obstacles from West Pakistan in obtaining passports for opposition members, Sheikh Mujib remains dignified, focusing on maintaining the nation's dignity. At the peace conference, he is touched by the stories of the oppressed and chooses to deliver his speech in Bangla. He is impressed by China's self-sufficiency, job opportunities, media integrity, religious freedom, and the patriotism displayed by its citizens.

Sheikh Mujib's emotional connection with East Pakistan is evident when his nostalgia is triggered by the sight of rivers and traditional boats. A particularly touching scene unfolds during a boat race on the Hancho River when he proudly proclaims, "I am the real boatman," highlighting his adept leadership. 

The graphic novel offers readers a glimpse into the socio-economic conditions of Socialist China after the revolution, providing an engaging blend of knowledge, visual pleasure, and unique insights from one of the world's most influential leaders.

In conclusion, the release of 'Amar Dekha Naya Chin' marked a significant literary milestone for the Bangla language, offering readers a compelling story enriched with historical insights. This graphic novel vividly captures Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's visit to China, celebrating his visionary leadership and his profound impact on history.