The reason, meaning the cause, is always behind everything. In the Ramayana, when Kaikeyi sent Ram into exile due to Manthara’s instigation, it led to the destruction of Ravana. Similarly, in the Mahabharata, when Urvashi cursed Arjuna, he faced identity issues because of that curse. Perhaps even the birth of Prachanda was for a reason.
When the terror of demons increased on Earth, making it difficult for kings to protect their kingdoms, the sage Shapadeyu’s curse became the solution. Shapadeyu would come out of his cave once a year and, to test the power of his penance, he would curse anyone who came his way. One day, he cursed the king of the demon city Antagurugudgu that all his joints would become loose. Though Shapadeyu returned to his cave after casting the curse, the remedy suggested by the Vaidyaguru of Antagurugudgu turned out to be a significant challenge for humans.
To heal Antagurugudgu, the Vaidyaguru advised him to drink human essence, leading the demon to capture humans daily. Witnessing the plight of Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Sky sought refuge in Lord Shiva. Under Shiva’s guidance, each of these elements contributed to the creation of a being: Earth provided the body, Sky the head, Water the feet, Fire the arms, and Air breathed life into the clay figure. The amalgamation of these five powers resulted in the creation of Prachanda.
Empowered by the blessings of Shiva, Prachanda set out to eliminate the demons, starting with Antagurugudgu. The story of Prachanda’s birth can be found in the first comic named ‘Prachanda,’ written by Tikaram Sippi and illustrated by Pratap Mulik. Raj Comics published it, a publication that had already gained popularity with superheroes like Nagraj, Dhruva, and Doga.
Despite the tangled storyline of Prachanda, it added another superhero to the world of television after just a few issues. At that time, another superhero had already become everyone’s favorite – Shaktimaan. Perhaps this is why, after the release of 8 or 9 comics, Prachanda was discontinued.
Prachanda derived his power from the five elements. Each particle of Earth responded to his command, lightning in the sky followed his gesture, he could run on water, fire couldn’t harm him, and the wind could transport him anywhere swiftly. Prachanda’s birth was divine, evident by the inclusion of gods and demons in every comic. When Prachanda was enslaved by a magical crown in the ‘Main Hoon Khalnayak’ comic, Lord Shiva intervened to show him the way.
The comics published so far include Prachanda, Chatori, Main Banunga Khalnayak, Main Hun Khalnayak, Prachanda Aur Aao, Prachanda Aur Vishwatma, Halaku, Amar Shakti, and Shankha.
