Kandittund! takes on new avatar as graphic novel

National Award winning animated short film Kandittund! has now been transformed into a novel

At Pravaha, Bangalore International Centre’s recently-concluded cultural festival, a book based on Kandittund! was launched. Produced by Studio Eeksaurus and directed by Adithi Krishnadas, Kandittund! (which translates as ‘Seen It’ in Malayalam) is a collection of eerie tales that were once narrated by PNK Panicker to his son and founder of the studio, Suresh Eriyat.  

Kandittund! which won the 69th national award for animated short film, carries an oral flavour of traditional spooky tales narrated as an authentic, real time story by PNK Panicker. With characters such as Eenampechi, Arukola, Kutti Chathan, Anna Marutha, Neet Arukola and Thendan, Kandittund! pays homage to Malayalam folklore.

Since its inception 15 years ago, Studio Eeksaurus has turned out 11 short films in the fiction and social satire genres, with a core team of 25 people. Shedding light on the strength of local narratives, Nilima Eriyat, executive producer of the studio, says, “Since our stories are rooted in our everyday anecdotes, lives, culture and the people we meet, they are bound to have a local flavour.”

Transformed into an illustrative graphic novel by Tulika Publications, these stories can now be read and cherished by everyone. “It took us nine to 10 months to create this book, and it has come out wonderfully,” says Radhika Menon, publishing director, Tulika Publications.

She explains why the novel is titled PNK Panicker’s Ghost Stories instead of Kandittund! “Calling it PNK Panicker’s Ghost Stories does not take anything away from the work. Panicker can’t come from anywhere else but Kerala. Besides, for both younger and older audiences, Ghost Stories is a big draw.”

PNK Panicker’s Ghost Stories has been published in multiple languages for a larger reach.

Talking about his apprehensions in crafting a book version of the short film, Suresh Eriyat says, “When a publishing company makes a book, there is no telling if the print quality, artistry or anything else might be compromised. At least, that is what I thought as I had never interacted with a publisher before. It was my professor from the National Institute of Design who convinced me to go ahead with the publication.”