Lie:A Traditional Tale Of Modern India

by Gautam Bhatia

The graphic novel looks at issues, personalities, people and ideas that project the popularly-held view of the country: That truth vanquishes falsehood; that the poor will ride roughshod over the rich; that the powerful politician will sooner than later be brought to his knees by the ordinary man.

Its characters interact with each other in a way that gives vent to a range of popular and suppressed prejudices—desires, taboos and age-old injustices—that dog the life of every Indian. A sardonic look at the current state of affairs in the country, using a traditional form of expression, Lie has been drawn by miniaturists from Rajasthan.

Genres: India

182 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Soumitro · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot going on in this graphic novel, but its bleak, satirical portrayal of contemporary Indian society is it's ace in the hole. Its graphic elements add to it, but it doesn't coalesce all that well. Regardless of this, the use of traditional visual styles and motifs to depict contemporary India is interesting.

For those who liked it and want more in a similar vein, check out 'The Mammaries of the Welfare State' by Upamanyu Chatterjee and Sarnath Banerjee's work.

[Shreela Sen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing. It's satire. Initially, compared to The Harappa Files it had seemed more comprehensible, but then it becomes slapstick & then absurdism... this mix-up des not work well.
The art is in "miniature" style, this is innovative & must have been painstaking, but the writing became forced & unimaginative.

[Suhit · Rating 2 out of 5]

its a fiction satire based on indian traditions... didn't really like the artwork or the story that much. But decent attempt..