In the golden age of Indian comics, Tulsi Comics had a distinct identity. At that time, Tausi, the character of a wishful snake, was well liked among children and teenagers. The special thing about Tausi was his unique powers, his nature of understanding right and wrong, and his ability to take different forms when needed. “Tausi and the Tantric” is a story in this series, which keeps the reader engaged from the beginning till the last page.
The Saga of Conspiracy and Bravery
The story begins with Jayasar, the brave and majestic king of Sargarh, and his daughter, Princess Nagina. On Princess Nagina’s 21st birthday, the king decides to worship in the Shiva temple built by his ancestors. It is from here that an atmosphere of adventure and danger begins to form in the story. The king’s commander, Hogah, has bad intentions in his mind. He wants to take the throne by killing the king and is also dreaming of marrying Princess Nagina.
When the king is on his way to the temple, he is attacked. But the king was already wary and was wearing iron armor under his clothes, which saves his life. In this temple, Tausi is present in the form of a snake near an idol. With his divine vision, he senses the coming danger in advance.
After the first trick fails, Hogah hatches a second plot. He poisons the king’s milk. Tausi, who was seeing everything in an invisible form, neutralizes that poison with the powerful rays of his Nagamani. When the king drinks the milk, he just feels a little dizzy and goes into a deep sleep. This scene clearly shows that Tausi is not only an attacker but also a protector.
The next day, Tausi appears in human form in the royal court and exposes Hogah’s entire conspiracy. When Hogah is forced to drink the same milk, he escapes, mistaking it for his necklace. But Hogah was not just a soldier; he was also a dangerous Tantrik. After reaching the crematorium, he performs terrible sadhana of Kali Devi, and by putting his life into a dead body, he creates a demon named ‘Droki’.
Droki is a very scary monster, who survives by drinking human blood. He attacks the temple and brutally kills the holy saint Kali Pandit present there. Tausi tries to stop him, but Droki’s strength is so great that Tausi has to retreat. The story ends with a tremendously exciting twist, i.e., a cliffhanger, where Hogah captures Princess Nagina and Droki captures King Jayasar. In such a situation, readers start eagerly waiting for the next issue, “Tausi and Droki.”
Character Illustration
Tausi: He is the hero of this story. The character of Tausi presents the image of a ‘wishful Nag’ found in Indian mythology in the style of modern comics. He is calm by nature but is absolutely tough when it comes to injustice. In this comic, Tausi plays the role of a true protector. His wisdom is clearly visible when he saves the king’s life with the power of the Nagamani first, instead of jumping into a direct fight.
Senapati Hogah (Villain): Hogah is a villain who is not only powerful but also very clever. He is knowledgeable in Tantra Vidya, and due to his immense ambition, he does not hesitate to betray even his own people. His cremation rituals and meditation, and the creation of a demon like Droki, create an atmosphere of fear and mystery in the story.
Droki: The character of Droki instills fear in the minds of readers. He is shown as a giant, extremely creepy monster, completely empty of emotions. He just follows his boss’s orders without thinking, making him seem even scarier.
Raja Jayasar and Nagina: Both these characters symbolize morality and compulsion in the story. Through them, it has been shown how helpless even people at the pinnacle of power can be in front of the betrayal of their loved ones.
Art and Portraiture
The artwork by Mrs. Ranjita and B.K. Studio makes this comic truly come alive. Despite the limitations of printing of that period, colors have been used very effectively. Especially in the cremation scenes, dark purple and black colors create a mysterious and scary atmosphere. The artists have also done a great job in showing the emotions of the characters. Be it the anger of Hogah or the pain at the time of Kali Pandit’s death, every emotion touches the reader deeply. Droki’s huge body and his sharp, dreaded teeth are enough to create fear. The action sequences also show tremendous energy, especially the panel where Tausi attacks Droki in the form of a snake, which brings the adventure to a head.
Theme and Message
The story of “Tausi and the Tantric” brings out many deep topics in a very intuitive manner. It is not just a direct battle of good and evil, but shows a complex conflict between the dangerous tantra lore surrounding Tausi and Hogah. The basic message of the story rests on the greed for power and betrayal, which blinds humans. This is clearly visible in the deception of Commander Hogah. Simultaneously, the clash between the satvik worship of Kali Pandit and the black magic carried out by Hogah in the crematorium brings out the duality of spirituality and tantra-mantra. All this presents Indian folk tales and old beliefs prevalent in society in an exciting form.
Critical Analysis
Positive Side:
The pace of the story in this comic is very fast. Every 4–5 pages, there is a new twist, which keeps the reader engaged till the end, and nowhere does he feel bored. The suspense is so deep that by showing the protagonist standing close to defeat at the end, it creates tremendous curiosity for the next issue. Despite the short narration, it is quite effective. The use of tantric mantras, such as “Om Hreem Namah…”, is in perfect harmony with the mysterious atmosphere of the story.
Downside:
In some places, events progress very quickly. For example, Hogah running away from the court and immediately going to the crematorium and creating Droki seems a bit hasty.
The early death of an influential character like Kali Pandit may grieve some readers, although it was necessary to show the seriousness of the danger in the story.
Conclusion
Overall, “Tausi and the Tantric” is a highly precious creation from the treasure trove of comics. This is not just an imaginative story, but a brilliant example of the creative thinking in comic writing of that period. Rituraj has created a world where snakes speak, corpses come to life, and miracles happen with the Nagamani.
If you want to get lost in the world of old memories or want to understand the classic stories of Indian comics closely, then you must read this comic. It reminds us that comics were not just entertainment, but also a means of giving flight to our imagination.
Rating: 4.5/5
Even in today’s digital era, this comic seems as fun and effective as it was decades ago. Its follow-up, “Tausi and Droki,” promises to be even more exciting, and this issue fully arouses curiosity to read it.
