Batul the Great is amongst the famous characters in Indian comics series, published by Shuktara (Deb Sahitya Kuthir), a children`s magazine. Batul the Great was initially launched as a comic strip but was later developed as a standalone comics series. The character of Batul was created by one of the most prominent Indian comics creators, Narayan Debnath. Batul the Great is still widely popular amongst kids and adults, mostly in West Bengal. An animated television show based on the series was also produced and broadcasted on regional Bengali channels. The series was earlier published only in Bengali, but due to growing demand, it now published in English as well.
History of Batul the Great
Writer and cartoonist Narayan Debnath conceived the story of a superhero type Bengali character while on his way back from the popular College Street area in Kolkata. He immediately thought of a name and visualized a basic design of the character. Debnath was adamant about not giving the character of Batul any superpowers. Initially, the creator of the series was unsure of the future of the character. But the series was eventually published and was admired by Indian comics readers. Batul the Great was the first character to be printed in colour amongst Narayan Debnath`s other creations that were featured in comic strips and comic books.
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, also known as the Bangladesh War of Liberation, publishers and editors requested Debnath to add a feeling of invincibility to the character. The creator was reluctant in the beginning due to various legal implications, but eventually he transformed Batul into a superhero and the character was able to withstand the force of missiles and other weapons. He could also take on airplanes and tanks. It was depicted that bullets bounce off his body and he always remains unharmed by enemy weapons, much like the famous comics character Superman.
Concept of Batul The Great
The series Batul the Great is based on the central character named Batul, who is superhero character with a well built torso and consists of tremendous strength and stamina. Batul has the ability to stop a train, break a brick wall by running through it, kill huge animals like sharks and whales with his bare hands and bullets cannot pierce his chest. Batul is very fond of food and has a huge appetite and thus has a whale for breakfast from time to time. Unlike other superheroes, Batul the Great does not wear any flashy costumes, instead he always appears in his orange or pink vest and black shorts. Criminals like robbers and hooligans are scared of him as he protects the innocent and helps the civilians. But his enormous strength is sometimes portrayed as his weakness, as he always breaks equipments and machinery while trying to operate it.
There are various characters in the Batul the Great series, but two of the major characters include Bachhu and Bichchu. These boys are often absent in school and gang up with criminals and dacoits and conduct various crimes like robbing a bank. Other important characters in the series include Batul`s aunty, who cooks food for him; Lambakarna, who has long ears and special hearing abilities; his dreadful pet dog Vedo and his pet ostrich named Uto.
