Duration: 1 month, 2024
Area of Focus: Interaction, Illustration
Team: Arundhuti Dey, Tanya Verma
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The brief of this project was to create an immersive and engaging graphic novel. Keeping that in mind we built a narrative that introduces audiences to the fundamental concepts of NatyaShastra, particularly the Navarasas. Through interactive elements and a compelling narrative, the novel aims to make learning about this ancient Indian art form both enjoyable and educational.
01. Background & Objectives
02. Research & Conceptualisation
03. Building Blocks
04. Final Construction & Testing
Process Overview
Project Overview
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The brief of this project was to create an immersive and engaging graphic novel. Keeping that in mind we built a narrative that introduces audiences to the fundamental concepts of NatyaShastra, particularly the Navarasas. Through interactive elements and a compelling narrative, the novel aims to make learning about this ancient Indian art form both enjoyable and educational.
Duration: 1 month, 2024
Area of Focus: Interaction, Illustration
Team: Arundhuti Dey, Tanya Verma
01
Background & Objectives
This graphic novel immerses readers in the ancient world of NatyaShastra, unraveling the Navarasas through the emotional journey of a nayika. By blending storytelling and interactive elements, it makes these concepts accessible and engaging for people with no prior knowledge.
what?
ACCESSIBILITY TO INFORMATION
Firstly, This novel aimed to simplify the information on Navarasa for the muggles (or those don’t know about the concept) and interested novices alike.
why?
AWARENESS & EDUCATION
Secondly, this project aims at spreading more awareness about the concept of Navarasas, a culturally rich and important part of the Indian classical history.
how?
INTERACTIVE FUN
Lastly, the objective was to make the information easy to digest so that the burden to read through long texts is reduced and the process of learning becomes fun.
01
Background & Objectives
This graphic novel immerses readers in the ancient world of NatyaShastra, unraveling the Navarasas through the emotional journey of a nayika. By blending storytelling and interactive elements, it makes these concepts accessible and engaging for people with no prior knowledge.
what?
ACCESSIBILITY TO INFORMATION
Firstly, This novel aimed to simplify the information on Navarasa for the muggles (or those don’t know about the concept) and interested novices alike.
why?
AWARENESS & EDUCATION
Secondly, this project aims at spreading more awareness about the concept of Navarasas, a culturally rich and important part of the Indian classical history.
how?
INTERACTIVE FUN
Lastly, the objective was to make the information easy to digest so that the burden to read through long texts is reduced and the process of learning becomes fun.
Concept Ideation
Concept Ideation
A love story through natya shastra
possible interactions
hand gestures - mudras
color theory - mood
facial expressions - rasas
music - ragas
background
nayika(primary) and nayak (maybe 2)
different rasas at different stages of the sotry
conversations can have interactive elements
postures
infographic style - scrolling - interactive
tiny text bits as key words to explain
tap to hide /unhide information
Static bg; moving characters through sliding
A love story through natya shastra
color theory - mood
facial expressions - rasas
music - ragas
different rasas at different stages of the sotry
hand gestures - mudras
background
nayika(primary) and nayak (maybe 2)
conversations can have interactive elements
postures
possible interactions
infographic style - scrolling - interactive
tiny text bits as key words to explain
tap to hide /unhide information
Static bg; moving characters through sliding
02
02
Research & Conceptualisation
Research & Conceptualisation
We researched various aspects of Navrasas and expression of emotions through it. Then we moved on to build a story that would allow us to impart knowledge through interaction and visuals.
We researched various aspects of Navrasas and expression of emotions through it. Then we moved on to build a story that would allow us to impart knowledge through interaction and visuals.
raga > nayika > natya > navrasa
raga > nayika > natya > navrasa
Rasas
Rasas
particular emotions
particular emotions
aesthetics
aesthetics
natyashastra
natyashastra
sthaayi bhava
(sentiments)
sthaayi bhava
(sentiments)
artistic
artistic
expressions of artists evoke
expressions of artists evoke
evokes in audience - an emotion
evokes in audience - an emotion
haasya
shringara
shringara
veera
karunya
raudra
vibhatsa
bhayanak
shaant
adbhuta
adbhuta
Natya Shastra
Natya Shastra
facials expressions
facials expressions
Illustrated emotions, posture forms
Illustrated emotions, posture forms
Natya Shastra
facials expressions
Illustrated emotions, posture forms
MUDRAS
EXPRESSIONS
EXAGGERATED EYES/FACE
TRADITIONAL X MODERN
BOLD, FLAT COLORS
MUDRAS
EXPRESSIONS
EXAGGERATED EYES/FACE
TRADITIONAL X MODERN
BOLD, FLAT COLORS
Moodboard
Moodboard
Design
Characters
Character Introduction
Body Language
Composition
Set Design
Illustration
Narrative Support
Colours
interactions
Proportion
Setting mood
visual depth
Expression
Relatability
Nayak
Nayika
Antagonist
Supporting characters
backdrops
environment
placement
Props
Elements
Design
Characters
Character Introduction
Body Language
Composition
Set Design
Illustration
Narrative Support
Colours
interactions
Proportion
Setting mood
visual depth
Expression
Relatability
Nayak
Nayika
Antagonist
Supporting characters
backdrops
environment
placement
Props
Elements
03
Building Blocks
03
Building Blocks
It is a tale of nayika’s journey to finding her love. The story encapsulates the different moods and emotions the nayika goes through along the way. The story starts off with her hanging around with her friends and coming into the notice of the nayak who falls in love with her at first sight...
The nayak day-dreams about her and one fine day bumps into her. He confesses his feelings to her then and there before losing sight of her again. And this time, the nayika also begins to notice him and accepts his feelings.
They start spending time together and are lost in their world, oblivious to the fact that her father has come to know of her relationship and is furious. One day, she reaches home and her father confronts her saying that she cannot be with the nayak and has to marry a guy of his choice with whom he has fixed her marriage.
She is shocked and sad but has to obey her father without an option. She informs nayak the next day secretly at the temple where she goes everyday but also gives him a reassurance that she would come back.
IThen she goes to the arranged meeting with the guy her father had chosen to clarify that she is in love with someone else. But before she could say anything, the guy starts misbehaving with her.
At this behaviour, she is disgusted. Her anger is aroused and she pushes him angrily to show him his place. She reaches her home and courageously tell hers father that she loves the nayak and that she will not settle for a guy so low and pathetic who dares to misbehaves with her. She says it with so much conviction that her family has to concede and accept.
She returns to meet the nayak and tells him that they can be together again and that she has explained it to her family what her intentions are.
There’s a sense of peace between them now that everything is sorted.
Storyline
Storyboarding
Storyline
HASYA
Nayika and her friends were out for their evening walk. As soon as she passed the fierce troop of men returning from their duties, she mimicked dramatically the way they walked. The playful mimicking she performed of the soldiers made her friends laugh and giggle loud enough for the noises to travel to the troop passing by. They contagious laugh of her friends made her burst into laughter too. One of the men (nayak) from the troop caught these voices coming from nearby and walked towards the source curiously.
ADBHUT
He was mesmerized on seeing the beauty of the nayika which left him spell bound. He could not function normally with his work or duties and was completely distracted by the girl he saw earlier. He kept hoping that he would see her again someday and he was positive on that.
One day as he was walking thinking about her facing down lost in his thought, he saw a girl picking flowers from the ground and to his surprise it was that very same girl he was fond of.
He keeps thinking about her while he works, sleeps, walks and all the time. He hopes to spot her again.
And one day when he’s walking zoned-out, he collides with a lady, whose basket of flowers fall down.
SHRINGARA
She could feel the chills running through her body, aware of the gaze coming her way.
She tried to move away when he held her hand and confessed his feelings for her. All he could say was defining the first encounter of them when he saw her playing and laughing with joy. It was the most comforting sight after the war they returned from.
The nayika blushed and looked at the handsome man standing in front of her confessing all his love, she too was curious to know about him. Without showing any kind of resistance from her end they sat beside the flower bed talking about each other.
They started hanging out more, the world around them seemed to be inexistent. They felt safe and sound in each other’s company. It turned into love and it only grew, from then on.
BHAYANAKA
However, she doesnt know that her father has found out about her love interest. One day he suddenly tells her that he has found her a match and she has to marry him. The meeting was set for the end of the week and she was not allowed to meet the nayak anymore. Not allowed to meet the nayak.
VIRAH
The next morning when she went for her morning puja she met the nayak sneakily behind the temple for a moment and told him about the meeting her father has set. She tells him they cannot meet until it is sorted and asks him to wait for her, be patient and not lose hope.
BIBHATSA
The day came when she had to meet the guy and they were left alone to talk and get to know each other. Nayika explains her situation to him in hopes of him to understand and refuse to take ahead this arrangement. However, the guy takes it on his ego that he has been denied by a lady and forces himself upon by touching her and forcing her to obey.
The nayika finds it disgusting that the guy is misbehaving with her.
SHANTAHA
She returns to meet the nayak and tells him that they can be together again and that she has explained it to her family what her intentions are.
There’s a sense of peace between them now that everything is sorted. They begin their meetups and again and spend time together. They go on walks, see sunsets together and everything around them looks pretty
VEER
She reaches her home and courageously tell hers father that she loves the nayak and that she will not settle for a guy so low and pathetic who dares to misbehaves with her. She says it with so much conviction that her family has to concede and accept.
RAUDRA
After a point, her anger is roused and pushes him away with force. He stumbles and falls on his back.
Her expression changes to that of immense rage and walks away.
HASYA
Nayika and her friends were out for their evening walk. As soon as she passed the fierce troop of men returning from their duties, she mimicked dramatically the way they walked. The playful mimicking she performed of the soldiers made her friends laugh and giggle loud enough for the noises to travel to the troop passing by. They contagious laugh of her friends made her burst into laughter too. One of the men (nayak) from the troop caught these voices coming from nearby and walked towards the source curiously.
ADBHUT
He was mesmerized on seeing the beauty of the nayika which left him spell bound. He could not function normally with his work or duties and was completely distracted by the girl he saw earlier. He kept hoping that he would see her again someday and he was positive on that.
One day as he was walking thinking about her facing down lost in his thought, he saw a girl picking flowers from the ground and to his surprise it was that very same girl he was fond of.
He keeps thinking about her while he works, sleeps, walks and all the time. He hopes to spot her again.
And one day when he’s walking zoned-out, he collides with a lady, whose basket of flowers fall down.
SHRINGARA
She could feel the chills running through her body, aware of the gaze coming her way.
She tried to move away when he held her hand and confessed his feelings for her. All he could say was defining the first encounter of them when he saw her playing and laughing with joy. It was the most comforting sight after the war they returned from.
The nayika blushed and looked at the handsome man standing in front of her confessing all his love, she too was curious to know about him. Without showing any kind of resistance from her end they sat beside the flower bed talking about each other.
They started hanging out more, the world around them seemed to be inexistent. They felt safe and sound in each other’s company. It turned into love and it only grew, from then on.
BHAYANAKA
However, she doesnt know that her father has found out about her love interest. One day he suddenly tells her that he has found her a match and she has to marry him. The meeting was set for the end of the week and she was not allowed to meet the nayak anymore. Not allowed to meet the nayak.
VIRAH
The next morning when she went for her morning puja she met the nayak sneakily behind the temple for a moment and told him about the meeting her father has set. She tells him they cannot meet until it is sorted and asks him to wait for her, be patient and not lose hope.
BIBHATSA
The day came when she had to meet the guy and they were left alone to talk and get to know each other. Nayika explains her situation to him in hopes of him to understand and refuse to take ahead this arrangement. However, the guy takes it on his ego that he has been denied by a lady and forces himself upon by touching her and forcing her to obey.
The nayika finds it disgusting that the guy is misbehaving with her.
SHANTAHA
She returns to meet the nayak and tells him that they can be together again and that she has explained it to her family what her intentions are.
There’s a sense of peace between them now that everything is sorted. They begin their meetups and again and spend time together. They go on walks, see sunsets together and everything around them looks pretty
VEER
She reaches her home and courageously tell hers father that she loves the nayak and that she will not settle for a guy so low and pathetic who dares to misbehaves with her. She says it with so much conviction that her family has to concede and accept.
RAUDRA
After a point, her anger is roused and pushes him away with force. He stumbles and falls on his back.
Her expression changes to that of immense rage and walks away.
Character Design
Character Design
BACKGROUND CHARACTERS
The side characters, including Nayika's parents and her friends, play pivotal yet brief roles in the story, shaping the emotional and societal backdrop. Nayika's parents hold a prestigious place in society and initially adhere to rigid norms, attempting to force her into compliance. Their actions put Nayika in a dilemma, torn between familial duty and personal freedom. However, their belief in the safety and respect of women ultimately prevails, leading them to reflect on their mistakes and accept Nayika’s perspective without letting their egos dominate. Nayika’s friends add warmth and relatability, supporting her with their camaraderie and offering occasional relief amidst the tension. Together, these characters enrich the narrative, highlighting themes of societal expectations, familial bonds, and eventual acceptance.
ANTAGONIST
The fiancé is a man consumed by aggression, entitlement, and possessiveness, driven by a belief that his authority and societal approval grant him control over others. Selected by Nayika's parents as her suitor, he appears charming and suitable on the surface but harbors a dark, manipulative nature. He views Nayika as an object to be owned rather than a person to be cherished, disregarding her feelings and autonomy. His inability to handle rejection manifests in violent and coercive behavior, exposing his deep-seated insecurity and disrespect for women. The fiancé’s domineering and misogynistic traits serve as a foil to the Nayak, highlighting the destructive nature of relationships built on control and the importance of love founded on respect and mutual understanding.
The fiancé is a man consumed by aggression, entitlement, and possessiveness, driven by a belief that his authority and societal approval grant him control over others. Selected by Nayika's parents as her suitor, he appears charming and suitable on the surface but harbors a dark, manipulative nature. He views Nayika as an object to be owned rather than a person to be cherished, disregarding her feelings and autonomy. His inability to handle rejection manifests in violent and coercive behavior, exposing his deep-seated insecurity and disrespect for women. The fiancé’s domineering and misogynistic traits serve as a foil to the Nayak, highlighting the destructive nature of relationships built on control and the importance of love founded on respect and mutual understanding.
NAYAK
The Nayak is the embodiment of gentleness and integrity, a stark contrast to the domineering nature of the fiancé. His kind and humble demeanor is grounded in respect for others' autonomy, especially Nayika's. Patient and understanding, he exemplifies emotional maturity, choosing to support Nayika even when circumstances demand restraint. When Nayika confides in him about her father’s ultimatum, he respects her decision to distance herself temporarily and waits faithfully, never pressuring her or questioning her choices. His love for her transcends physical attraction; he cherishes her joyous spirit, compassionate heart, and individuality. The Nayak’s unwavering respect, quiet strength, and capacity for selfless love make him not only a worthy partner for Nayika but also a moral counterpoint to the toxic traits of the antagonist.
NAYIKA
The Nayika is a captivating blend of strength, beauty, and grace, embodying both resilience and vulnerability. Her jolly and innocent demeanor radiates warmth, drawing people toward her, while her intelligence and independent spirit set her apart as a free soul, unwilling to be controlled by societal expectations or any man. Bold and rebellious, she stands firmly by her beliefs, fighting for what she knows is right even in the face of adversity. Despite her outer strength, she has a sensitive heart, filled with kindness and compassion, making her the purest and most selfless character. She deeply loves and cares for her parents and the Nayak, balancing her sense of duty with her personal desires. Her unwavering resolve to influence others positively and resolve conflicts with grace makes her a beacon of hope and inspiration in the story.
Exterior space (The Village gardens)
Exterior space (The Village gardens)
Interior space (Home)
Set Design
04
04
Final Construction & Testing
Final Construction & Testing
Prototyping
Prototyping
To make navigation easy on touch screens, each frame is divided in the following manner.
TAP ZONES
to go backward
to go backward
to go forward
to read more about the theme
to read more about the theme
LEFT
LEFT
CENTER
CENTER
RIGHT
RIGHT
every frame which has this flower in the top right corner, has information overlay. Tapping on the centre of the frame reveals it and tapping it again hides it.
every frame which has this flower in the top right corner, has information overlay. Tapping on the centre of the frame reveals it and tapping it again hides it.
Instructions before you Interact & Navigate through the digital graphic novel
Instructions before you Interact & Navigate through the digital graphic novel
Arundhuti Dey
Tanya Verma
@ad.uix | @_.artwistic._
@_strokygrid_
Mul-aqat
a graphic novel by Arundhuti Dey and Tanya Verma
read and experience a story of nine emotions through graphics...
before you start
Tap Zones
to go backward
to go forward
to read more about the theme
scan and see the magic unfold
LEFT
CENTER
RIGHT
Mulaqat
by Arundhuti Dey & Tanya Verma
a story of nine emotions
a graphic novel
Collaterals
Collaterals
