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A novel attempt, but quite graphic

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George Mathen, a young and budding graphic novelist from the city, has just released The Legend of Halahala, a ‘silent’ graphic novel, being described as the first of its kind in India.

The Legend of Halahala is a compilation of the lives of the inmates of the fictional and mythical world, Halahala in the form of short stories. Mathen, who goes by the name Appupen, talks to dna about his evolution as an artist and the journey he has been through.

How did George Mathen become Appupen?
George Mathen was mad at the use of one’s skills to pay off bills. During my earlier years, I had been a tattoo artist, cartoonist, muralist, and drummer. I also spent a significant portion of my life in filmmaking and animation. However, the last few years saw a deviation towards being a storyteller through comic strips. During this phase, Appupen took birth. In Malayalam, Appupen means grandfather. Since I liked to tell stories and grandfathers are usually known as great storytellers, I found it logical to call myself Appupen. However, Appupen can be evidently called George Mathen’s alter ego who escapes into a self-created mythical world, Halahala; although he doesn’t prefer to be a part of this fictional world.

Can you reveal your specific interest in this turf of graphic novels?
A graphic novel is an area wherein an artist can withhold his liberty of presenting his art form without too many hindrances. It is less influential too. I cannot write long texts like that in the novels as I am an artist and not essentially a novelist.

What do you think differentiates comic strips from graphic novels?

To me, comic strips and graphic novels do not have major differences. Although we can draw the usual differences i.e. with respect to the length and form, those have become insignificant these days. Of late, there are many comic strips of different origins, that are compiled and presented as graphic novels. I create both comic strips and graphic novels.

The cover of your book appears to encourage a variety of interpretations. How would you yourself like to interpret this?

I wanted to make it unique and attractive (just as any other person would want to). Hence, this creates a pattern that would remain in the minds of the viewers. For me, the cover speaks of the story world. I have incorporated the moods and emotions of the stories inside, on the cover.

What about Halahala itself?
Halahala is my mythical world that is way apart from the stereotyped sense of the contemporary mythical world. It was brought live in my first graphic novel, Moonward.

Legend of Halahala, goes deeper into the living stories of its inmates. It is a unique world living its early years. The inmates of this world are strange creatures living an unseasoned humanly weird life. Here, names are replaced by numbers to form the identity of an individual (for example, 16917P from story 4). Thus, for me, Halahala often becomes a flush out from the reality.

What are the ideas brought out in this novel according to you?
Life, liberty and creation are some of the ideas. In addition to this, there are many clues and events that are metaphorical and speak of the philosophies of life ( e.g. the creator becoming a part of his creation, such that the name of the creator is erased).

What kind of impact did you want to create on the mind of the reader?

I would have liked to create a disturbing impact, as it makes one think independently. Yet, I would I like to stay out of influencing my audience’s thoughts by channeling it into my directions.

Are you planning any other similar project?
I am currently working on Aspyrus, that portrays the journey of an idea (in the form of a dragon) and its creator. I also have plans of bringing out the second and even the third part of the Legend of Halahala, most probably by the next year.

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