Pencilling a Tribute: APJ Abdul Kalam Inspired this Aussie Artist
An inspiring section of Kalam’s autobiography has been brought beautifully to life by an Australian comic book artist
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Late former President APJ Abdul Kalam’s inspiring and motivational message has formed the basis for a new art based web comic.
A quote by the “Missile Man of India” from his 1999 autobiography Wings of Fire has been animated by Zen Pencils, online comic portal by Australia-based freelance artist Gavin Aung Than.
The comic begins with a depiction of a young girl whose passion for swimming is frowned at by persons of authority – presumably her parents.
Than introduces Kalam’s words intended to equip at least a few young people to stand up to the authoritarianism in society.
A characteristic feature of the authoritarianism in our society is its insidious ability to addict people to the endless pursuit of external rewards, wealth, prestige, position, promotion, approval of one’s lifestyle by others, ceremonial honours and status symbols of all kinds. To successfully pursue these goals they have to learn elaborate rules of etiquette and familiarise themselves with customs, traditions protocols and so on. The youth of today must unlearn this self-defeating way of life.
– APJ Abdul Kalam, Wings of Fire
Kalam, as particularly emphasised in his autobiography, was keen to leave behind a message of emancipation to the youth – that they could unshackle the restraints society placed on them – and be something more.
Than goes on to write that the late president was a deeply spiritual man and practised what he preached, shunning material possessions and rewards.
The comic juxtaposes Kalam’s words with a depiction of various pressures faced by today’s young people.
“The culture of working only for material possessions and rewards must be discarded,” Kalam wrote.
In a note accompanying the comic, Than writes about how Kalam dreamt of becoming a pilot and studied aeronautical engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology. While Kalam was devastated at not fulfilling his pilot dream he picked himself up and accepted a new path of life and went to work for the Ministry of Defence.
Life is a difficult game. You can win only by retaining your birthright to be a person.
– APJ Abdul Kalam, Wings of Fire
The final message of the comic reads, “...and to retain this right, you will have to be willing to take the social or external risks involved in ignoring pressures to do things the way others say they should be done.”
Than ends the comic with a delightful depiction of the girl apparently taking control of her life and gleefully diving into a water body.
Launched in the year 2012, the website Zen Pencils has featured artwork based on famous speeches, inspirational quotes and inspiring personalities. Besides Kalam, other Indian personalities previously featured on the site include Rabindranath Tagore, Jiddu Krishnamurti and Mahatma Gandhi.
(With PTI inputs)