The life story of the legendary Indian Hockey player Dhyan Chand, who is most remembered for his goal-scoring feats and for his three Olympic gold medals, is now detailed in a graphic illustrated book, which will be launched on Thursday.
The story of the legend, fondly known as The Wizard, is being told through Amar Chitra Katha’s new title “Sri Dhyan Chand.” The 64-page comic book encapsulates the impressive journey of the hockey player.
“He is a figure who stands tall not just in the world of sports but also among the greats who loved their country and worked for its glory with dedication and valour. He is one of the best icons for the youth of today. In a world where our young people see corruption and irresponsible action all around, the story of Dhyan Chand will bring courage, hope and a belief that hard work and honesty can reap great rewards,” says Reena Puri, editor, Amar Chira Katha.
“Also, this is our first title on a personality from the world of sports. It is a very special title for Amar Chitra Katha,” she says.
“He lived and breathed the game so our scriptwriter has taken that aspect of Dhyan Chand’s life and traced it from the time he took up the game as a cadet in the army to the time he became the legendary Wizard of Hockey. It traces his journey as he mastered the game with the help of committed superiors who encouraged him and gave him all the support he needed.
It travels with him to Amsterdam, Los Angeles and finally Berlin where it is said Adolf Hitler offered him a post in his army after watching him play and defeat the champion German team,” states Reena.
“We have always had personalities in our History and Visionaries sections, especially when it comes to biographies we look for figures from India who can be role models for our young people. Their lives serve as an inspiration, Dhyan Cnand is a story of commitment and passion. It is about a man who lived for his country and his sport,” she adds.
“The appeal of Amar Chitra Katha (ACK) is unabated. It seems to be ‘timeless’, defying the passage of time. However we have evolved with our readers. The storytelling style, art form and our characters match the pace and awareness of our readers, who are exposed to computer games, the Internet, special effects in the movies and a host of new-age technologies. We have introduced new categories like contemporary classic and biography of modern day heroes like Dhyanchand, making for an interesting read,” says Manas Mohan, COO, ACK.