Graphic novel ‘Mujib’ launched in English at Dhaka Lit Fest

After successful publications of the graphic novel on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Bangla, the English version of the first part of the novel series "Mujib" was unveiled at the Dhaka Lit Fest at Bangla Academy in the capital today.

The first three parts of the 12-part graphic novel series have already been published in Bangla version. Centre for Research and Information (CRI) published the novel in an effort to present the life of the Father of the Nation before the people, especially for the kids, in a more interesting way.

The English version of the first part of the novel was launched for the readers of other languages both home and abroad.

Bangabandhu's grandson Radwan Mujib Siddiq said the aim of publishing the graphic novel is to attract the young generation to know more about Bangabandhu.

"We wanted the young generation to become interested in the memoirs of Bangabandhu and what better way to whet the appetite than through the graphic novel," he said at a discussion titled "Mujib: Taking History to the Next Generation" at the Lit Fest.

Radwan, also a trustee of CRI, said "Graphic novel is something that has not been done before. I was brought up from a young age on graphic novel. I had seen graphic novels being written about other historical figures."

"My grandfather's memoirs were published after his dairies were discovered. My aunt Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and mother worked on it. What better script than his own words written by himself," he said.

Graphic novel "Mujib" tells the story of an ordinary young boy who grows up to lead his country. Based on The Unfinished Memoirs by Bangabandhu, this graphic novel series follows the journey of Bangladesh's founding father from childhood to the political awakenings, reads the back cover of the novel.

Taking part in the discussion, Radwan, also one of publishers of the novel, it's cartoonist Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy, Luke Neim, the online editor at Granta, and ULAB teacher Arzoo Ismail talked different aspects of the novel with journalist Jerry Pinto who moderated the session.