मातीचा देव : Maaticha Dev

by Tanmay Kulkarni (Writer), Prathamesh Yemul (Artist)

The Reimagining of a Marathi Folktale

Every village has its stories. This one has a god.
They call him Maaticha Dev. The God made of Earth. He does not live in temples or idols, but in the soil beneath their feet, in the damp smell after rain, in the fields at night. The villagers say he protects them. The truth is, he hungers. And hunger, once fed, only grows.
In a coastal village that outsiders forget, the old bargains still hold: prosperity for sacrifice, safety for silence. Children disappear, swallowed by the land their parents worship. Life goes on. It always does.
But when an unexpected visitor begins asking questions, the earth stirs, and the stories told at dusk reveal themselves for what they are: warnings. Because the thing they call god is not a memory. It is waiting. And it is very much alive.
Maaticha Dev is a graphic novel. Which is a tale of folklore and fear, of families and faith, of what people are willing to bury so that they may keep on living.

90 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 2025

About the author

Tanmay is a law student by day, a storyteller by night, and a professional overthinker every moment in between. He’s the sort of person who carries a notebook wherever he goes—not necessarily because inspiration strikes often, but because it’s nice to pretend you’re prepared. When he’s not lost in the pages of legal texts or making up stories in his head, he’s holding a cricket bat, claiming it knows more about writing than he ever will.

So far, he’s written four books, though calling them books feels a little too formal—they’re more like pieces of himself stitched together with ink and sleepless nights. Cloud Shapes is a reverse travelogue, made for those who wander inward as much as outward. Circling the Sun is a coming-of-age story for anyone who’s ever felt like the world was spinning just a little out of sync. And Shoes For Men & Beasts, well, that’s a fantasy epic about power, loyalty, and the choices that shape us—or undo us.

But here’s the thing about Tanmay’s stories: they aren’t just tales. They’re tiny acts of rebellion against the quiet loneliness of growing up. They’re love letters to the restless kid he used to be, the one who believed in magic—not the kind with wands and spells, but the kind that makes you feel like someone, somewhere, understands.

Reviews

[Reesha Jatakia · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a chilling read. the art is haunting and eerie that made the old tale feel even more alive. and a little unsettling in the best way possible. the writing is sharp and layered with every word holding a lot of gravity. honestly, it feels like sitting around a bonfire listening to a ghost story with your friends but in a visually pleasing format. Tanmay and Prathamesh really manage to make the story feel timeless yet unsettling in a way that lingers. totally worth a read if you’re into folklore with a twist.

[Juliette Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this comic! The story is really good, even though it’s a bit frustrating that it ends so quickly. I would have liked to know more about this mysterious beast!

The writing works perfectly with the folkloric theme, and the drawings are beautiful, with incredible work on the lighting.

I really recommend it to anyone who loves Indian folklore or who would like to learn more about it (as a foreigner, I can say this comic is accessible to everybody).

[nanaaninee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loveeeed it. An earnest attempt at folk horror.