Krishna 1967 original - By Amar Chitra Katha

Lost Pagesfrom The Original Unique First issue ofAmar Chitra Katha





About this scanlation Project
A Preface by Ajnaabi.

It all started the day when the i saw the Amar Chitra Katha N o. 11

(Krishna) that's currently in print. A s i turned those internal pages, there

seems to be something different...unfamaliar for me. My chilhood's

memory-blocks & my youthhood's-visualization was in conflict.......

The Current Issue which i was holding in my hands was NOT the one my

dad used to tell stories o f Krishna from.... it was not the one w e use to

hide inside our textbook from our teachers, it w as N ot the one that is

related w ith lots o f m y kindergarten m em ories. In a sense, it was NOT

the Originally published Amar Chitra Katha N o .l 1. It w as an issue later

R e-designed by the Artist Ram Waeerkar & was marketed as Amar

Chitra Katha N o. 11.

H m m .... But w hy ? What could be the possible cause o f doing so ? Isn't

the artworks displayed in the Old Issue much more better than this new

one ? At that time it occured to me that there might be some errors in the

storyline o f the past issue, and hence it was redesigned. But N ope, it was

the same. So that checked-off my great errors-related idea.

Now the only possible cause that remained is —the cause of

Redesigning was that the pages of this Old print were lost to the

world, even to India Book House themselves.

So, i check up hither & thither in my bookselves & lo-behold i found

what i seeked. A part-damaged copy o f the Real Original One. But it was

the Bengali version. The cover was almost the same as the current new

one, the first two pages were part damaged, and the last two pages were

missing. That very day i decided this scanlation project. From Bengali to

English. I used the Inside-Front-cover as well as the last three pages from

the new version to complete the storyline for N ew readers. But whatever,

I am happy to bring out these U nique pages that's related w ith the

History o f Indian Comics....for them- whoever loves Comics like Amar

Chitra Katha. Hope u Enjoyed it. —





About
Amar Chitra Katha No.11

(Krishna) 1967:

The originalprintings o fAmar Chitra
Katha No.11 (Krishna) were not in fu ll

colour—because o f budgetary
constraints, the panels were printed

using yellow, blue and green.
Subsequent Re-Designed issue,changed
tofu ll colour. AnantPai was the editor

cum script-writer. I failed in locating
The Artist fs name o f this past version.
(The Artist o f the new version was Ram
Waeerkar). I would love in calling these
pages and this issue o fAmar Chitra

Katha as — >

THE FATHER OF ALL
CENT-PERCENT DESI

INDIAN COMICS.





Q: Why is Amar Chitra Katha No.l 1

called as the First Amar Chitra Katha ?

A: Amar Chitra Katha No.01 to No. 10
was only reprintings done of Disneys
comicbooks like cindrella, showwhite
etc. It was only from Ack No.l 1 that
they started designing Original Indian
comic. Krishna was the First.

Some Original Unique Pages in Bengali Language
fOull&Ps*

Some Original Unique Pages in Bengali Language





Lost Pagesfrom The Original Unique First issue ofAmar Chitra Katha

Krishna is the most endearing and ennobling
character in Indian mythology. He is at once the
common cowherd engaging the milk-maids in play­
ful banter and the supreme intellectual engaged in
the exposition o f the Gita philosophy.

Krishna has a particular appeal for children
because he is one o f them as no other divine is-
Krishna the boy is mischievous; he is naughty.
He has irrepressible energy for innumerable esca­
pades. He is no prig; he is no puritan. He has
divine powers. But he humanises them and remains
a boy. This powerful human element is the secret
o f Krishna’s universal popularity. He is secular
even as he is sacred, and so he remains throughout
his life. That is why Krishna becomes a living
presence to all children who have listened to the
stories about him.

A M A R CHITRA KATHA means good reading.
-Over 3 0 0 titles are n ow on sale.

© IBH Publishers Pvt. Ltd., Bombay 400 026.
All rights reserved.

Published by H.G. Mirchandani for IBH Publishers Pvt. Ltd., 22, Bhulabhai
Desai Road, Bombay 400 026 and printed by him at IBH Printers, Marol Naka,
Mathuradas Vissanji Road, Andheri (East), Bombay 400 059.

Editor: Anant Pai Artwork:

Pagesfrom the Unique Original Amar Chitra Katha No. 11 (Actually No.Ol)
which is lost to the comic-world. This issue can be termed as THE FATHER
OF ALL INDIAN COMICS which are cent-percent DESI (ORIGINAL-INDIAN).

Mathurawas a Capital in Ancient India. King Ugrasena was the rulerthere.
His hair & Son Kamsawas very Cruel.

L ook ! Kansa's With what Kansa's father-in-law -
soldiers is holding courage is Kansa the Sinner Jarasandha
doing that to his
captive o f King is behind all these.
Ugrasena! own father!

At Kamsa's Palace But what if
the Prophecy
Pradyota! According to the come out as
Prophecy, the eightth child X true?
bom to my own sister Devaki
will slay me. The peoples think

it to be true.... all fools!

Lord! You looks Chanura! You will
| S verv worried have to murder
Devaki secretly.
today!

Kamsa loves to wrestle, and once-in-a-blue-moon used to
wrestle with Chanura the wrestler.

No, There might be some
Dangers doing it that way. Her
husband Vasudeva has a lots of

followers. Now hear me
carefully.... ^

Kamsa seem to be not at all interested in
wrestlings today.

Next morning at Vasudeva's L ook! I think Kamsa
Palace - has placed some guards

in our palace.

It seems so...
Wait, i will enquire.

No, sir! You are not to Yes, Devaki, We are held
be permitted to step
ouside the palace. captives. What have we

done against Kamsa for

k this act? ^

Vasudeva! I heard Devaki Yes, My lord! Please
gave birth to a child? come inside!

Vasudeva didn't have to wait too long for his answer.
One day, Kamsa arrived at his palace....

Egg? . vieorouslv struck it on the
Kamsa picked up the newly bom child and....

Everytime a child was bom to Devaki, Kamsa carries on doing this same cruel act again and again.

OH!! U CRUEL What else can i do.
r MAN! According to the
prophecy the 8th child
bom to you may try to

slay m e !

The citizens whispers Kamsa Cruelties... Gargachaijya says,
The 8th child bom to
Let's Pray God to
provide us with a Devaki will be our
Saviour.
Saviour

Hush! A
Kamsa's man is
right behind u s !

Gargachaiyja - The Kul-Priest was permitted to When the 7th child was bom to Devaki
meet Vasudeva one day.
Devaki! A dead child
brought from Gokul is
hidden among these

flowers!

Meanwhile Gargachaijya carried over the Child to Gokul, and left it with Rohini - the second wife o f Vasudeva.

Swamiji! Please tell my
husband not to worry. The
baby will be safe with me

KATH

As time passes by, Kamsabecomes more andmore worried

Maharaj! Some men Good, Pradyota!
!/ sent fromEmperor Fromtoday onwards
, Jarasandha's palace they will guardmy
(I I has arrived.
personal palace.

Put chains in Vasudeva's
feet. Use some more
guards around here.

Itwas rainingheavily on the 8th day of My Lord!
the warningmoon of shravan I feel that the Great
(Reckoned as the month ofbhadrapad,
in north india ) day is coming.

But Gargachaijyawill arrive
only on tomorrowmorning.

Ifthe baby is to be bom
tonight then how will we

protect him?

The Child was bom after midnight But how will i
protect him ?
How cute he looks,
isn't even crying!

L ook! The chains have Devaki! Give the
jjl fallen off themselves. It's a child to m e !

Strange Miracle!

in 1 nil-—'■"1

If i can get out o f here, i < rp.-- IIV I
SSSlk VV( ||n l
will take him away to

Gokul! /W L

Vasudeva saw that all the Guards have
fallen asleep with the door open.

Even the main doorways But will i success
are o p en ! in reaching Gokul ?

The nver Yamuna was in spate, but as Vasudeva approached the river parted
Oh, it looks like the river is
not too deep h ere! O r isita
. s t r a n g e miracle too ?

At Gokul....
A h h ! I can hear the cry
o f a newborn child! It
must be coming fom

Nanda's hou se!

As Vasudeva entered there, I will exchange my j
he saw all were asleep. baby with this child,
Even the newly bom baby and cany it back to
was sleeping.
Mathura

The baby from Gokul was clam & quite until they reached back in Vasudeva's home. After that.

Let's go and inform . 1 jji

Did you hear that ? the K ing! a
The sound o f a baby

crying!

Ifs a Girl, Kamsa!
Why do u seek to

kill her?

The 8th Child ? Kamsa took hold o f the child in
TH E 8TH CHILD171 her feets....

I will go there at

once.

But suddenly the baby escaped from Kamsa’s clutch and flew And a sharp heavenly voice was heard.
away via the windows.

HE WHO WILL
SLAY YOU,

STILL SURVIVE

Next day, at Gokul

It's true! Never

have i seen such a

beautiful child in

They says the childbom my entire life.
toNanda-Mural is very

*__cute & beautiful. ^

Let's go quickly!

At Nanda's home May Gargachaijya

give the name for the

nr~?- child. .

As he has a Black
skin, he should be
' called as
| KRISHNA!

Kamsa freed Devaki and Vasudeva. But still he could not trace any

clue leading to the child. r- ,V v'"1

v j r S&HHk v Putana! Go and Kill every J

I pi < V child bom in the month o f 'j

;1 1 Shvaran! j<|

What a sweet and beautiful
child Can i take him on my

lap for a moment ?

One day Putana went over to Gokul.... He is KRISHNA,
the son o f Nanda.
What a He was bom in the
beautiful child. month o f Shravan.

Who is he ?
When was he

bom?

W hen Putana found Krishna alone

Where's
Krishna ? I had
left him h ere!

Oh! Krishna is safe but... I saw her
who's the woman and nursing &
what happened to her ? Breast-feeding
Krishna.

Then someone among the crowd remembered She's d ead ! The
evil Baby-killing
She must be the evil Putana is dead!
Putana! Putana the baby-
killer! I have heard that

she had killed many
babies in Mathura.

n
As the years went by, Krishna's grew to be an adorable little boy who love animals.

The act o f feeding milk to krishna was a day to day problem his Balarama was the 7th child o f Devaki, who
mother had to handle. was left with Rohini

If i drink the milk, will my O f course Y e s ! Mother, Shall i go
hair grow as long as Now drink this. over to Balarama's
Balarama's ? -r home?

A Sudden change occured in Krishna as he became a Great Greedy Fan o f Butter.

Yashoda! Krishna was And that Butter stucked
drinking the milk straight from on your face ? Who gave

my cow ! that to you?

But mother, It was The Gwala boys
the cow._she smeared it on my
gave it willingly face. All out o f
tome.
spite.

Look mother! I have so short Krishna, You are becoming
hands. The Butter pot is kept naughtier day by d a y !
so high. How could i reach it ?

Krishna hate being tied up on a heavy morter On his way, as Krishna was trying to pass between two
trees the morter was caught inbetween them.
If 1 can move over to
Balarama's house, He

will untie me.

As the news spread, the peoples o f the town gathered to see the miracle.

(1 Wow! He uprooted
This boy is a M arvel! those two mighty trees!

[remember, he was th^
i same one who killed the
^^«i)aby-killer Putana!^

These strange happenings frightened the People. Moreover, Gokul was surrounded by Wolves & Jungles all
around. So they decided to leave Gokul and go over to Brindavan to live.

At Brindavan

Mother! May i too go Krishna, We are too tried
to graze the cattle ? to herd the cattle and take

them back home.

Well, then, i will
herd them now!

You may go.
But only if
you promise
me to stay

beside
Balarama.

Krishna took out his Flute and started playing it

Such sweet
m u sic!

Krishna, You are
_ a magician!

cows

As Krishna neared him, the hot-headed Taking some more steps toward Hastin, Krishna
Bull became angry. opened the rope that tied him.

Come back Krishna,
He's very dangerous.

Be clam, Hastin

In the river Yamuna, A poisonous snake known as Kaliya lived with his family.
Don't enter the water. It's
too dangerous to do that.

Didn't Kaliya slaughter a
lots o f our cows? Aren't
childrens poisoned from the
- water due to him?

As Krishna entered the water, Kaliya hissed with anger.
Krishna! Come
back Krishna!

Next it was the battle between Krishna and Kaliya.

.... only to find Krishna dancing on the hood o f a
meek and defeated Kaliya.

At Krishnas command
Kaliya and his family
left the river and went to
a far-away place. Peace
returned to Vrindavan.

One day the people o f Vrindavan were preparing Krishna is right.
to worship Lord Indra.

A J/
S's**

Listen everyone! The
Mount Govardhana is

our true Friend.
Shouldn't w e be
worshipping it rather

than Indra ?

But while Govardhana was being worshipped, Loud
Thunder were heard in the sky.

We shouldn t have
worshipped Mount

Govardhana.

^ liw w u z

When news o f Krishna's deeds reached Mathura Group o f Fools ! Didn't i order
you to have him killed somehow ?
Praydota ! Is it true that
Krishna was holding the Use the mad bull Arishta... the
mount Govardhana in his wild horse Keshi... or anything...

little finger ? Just KILL KRISHNA.

A sudden Panic gripped Kamsa now
Have it announced
that in a forthnight I
will perform the
Bow-Sacrifice..... ,

I have tried everything.
Even the mad bull and

the wild horse. But
nothing seems to be
able to harm a hair o f

that kid.

Kamsa was silent for a while. Then he whispered

Invite a ll-
including Krishna.
You must see to it

that he doesn't
return back alive.

Kamsa administered everything himself for the great arrangement.

Chanura ! If Pradyota
will be unable to kill
Krishna, then Challenge
him to a Match and don't
let him escape alive.

Kamsa also summoned the chief o f mahuts.

You will stand at the
entrance o f the Yagna hall
with the elephant. When
Krishna comes there see to

it that your elephant
tramples him to death.

Akrura ! I want everyone o f
the three-lok to know about
my nephew Krishna. Ask
him to DO come to Mathura
. for the Bow-Sacrifice !

Akrura reached Vrindavan, N o, Akrura ! Kamsa is a J

Nanda ! It's a great tyrant. How can i trust him ? 1 1
opportunity for Krishna
to display his powers. will not send Krishna to J

Kamsa want that Mathura.
Krishna do attend the

Bow-Sacrifice.

Finding Nanda adament, Akrura told him the truth about Krishna. I don't
believe it a
7 Yes, I have heard
th at! But still i am bit.
N anda! Krishna is unable to believe i t !
the son o f king

Vasudeva. He always
wanted that Krishna

should go over to
Mathura!

Akrura told the whole real story o f Krishna's Birth.

mm' v:K ^ jm 7 A » r r ~

No, no Krishna ! Did you
hear that ? Akrura is

saying that Devaki is your
mother.... I am your real

mother, aren't i ?

Please don't be upset by his
words mother. 1 shall always
look upon you as my mother.

But.....

I will go to Very good, Krishna ! The
Mathura! I seek the chiefs o f the Yadava will
permission o f my
see to it that no harm
Elders to do so ! befalls you at Mathura \ .

You may go, my son !
But beware o f Kamsa.

At next sunrise, Krishna accompanied by Balarama, left for Mathura.

rAM AR>

CHITRA
sJWTHAy

As they neared Mathura, Krishna decided to walk.
Suddenly an woman fell at his feet

Rise, O woman !
Why do you fall on

my feet ?

Krishna,
My Lord !

A passer by noticed the sudden change occuring to that woman.

A M iracle!
He must be
KRISHNA,

OUR
SAVIOUR!

Look at Trivakra ! Her
humped back has
straightened o u t!

The crowd followed Krishna and Balarama to the gate o f the Yagna hall. As the event o f the Bow-Sacrifice
was to be held on the next-day, Pradyota was waiting there.

irtainly, Please
:ome in sid e!

CHITRA

The crowd was not allowed to enter inside. The Bow doesn't
seems to be heavy.
Only competitors are allowed
inside to inspect the Bow.
Hold the others outside !

Before Pradyota understood what Krishna was up to. na broke the Bow into two

Kid ! Even the mighty
wrestler Chanura
cannot lift i t !

Meanwhile the Jubilant crowd rushed into the sacrificial hall Krishna is
our Saviour!
Victory...
Victory to
Krishna !

As Kamsa received the news from Pradyota -

But, my Lord ! Wherever
Krishna goes the frightening

crowd is following him

The next morning as Krishna approached the gate o f the Yagna hall

BE CAREFUL It is just
KRISHNA! another trap to

kill m e !

.... proved to be fatal for the elephant.

A s Krishna entered the Arena every eye o f the crowd w ere on him. The com petition w ent on.

S o this is Yes, and .. That H uge Iron -B ow !
KRISH NA! Stronger than H e broke it dow n like a
an Elephant. i straw.

[7At that moment, Chanura stepped toward Krishna. It's NOT FAIR! Father, Please
Krishna is so permit me to face
KRISHNA! sm all! d m
I challenge Chanura!

you to a
Wrestling
b ou t! Face
me if you

dare!

Meanwhile Balarama started a wrestling bout with ... and killed him on the bout.
Mustika the w restler....

"fc ic m tK i

Now, That was all i have.
The last 2 pages are
missing. So that i am

including the last three
pages from the current in­
print version of Krishna,
keeping in view that new

readers may find a
complete storyline.

NOW CHANURA STEPPED FORWARD

ARE HOU
REAPV,

KRISHNA?

CHANURA TRIEP TV CRUSH KRISHNA //VH /S DISAPPOINTED, CHANURA
MI0HTW ARMS. B U T KRISHNA SLIPPED AWAW. RUSHED MADLH A T H IM .

BUT KRISHNA N/MBLH STEPPED
ASIPE ANP PICKING HIM UP>->

VICTOR*/ TO
v KRISHNA!,

CHITRA

AS KAMSA*S S O iP IE R S MOVED ••' KRISHNA RUSHED TOWARPS I I I I oj,
TOW ARPS TH E 9APAVA CH IEFS. K A M S A ...± | | | | T J ■

TOOK AWAW HIS SWORP " ’ AM P THROWING HIM TO THE
&ROUNP, K/LLEP HIM . r ----------- “f

THE CROWP WAS STU N NEP INTO S IL E N C E .
KRISHNA L IF T E D THE CROWN FROM KAMSA'S ^

HEAD” * I----------— Z--------- ------------ JuJ E T ,^ r ] 3

CHITRA

AW LOKP! I HAVE BROUGHT

HOU WHAT KI0HTPUi.LV BELONGS

TO HOU. -d ge

THIS WAS OMLV THE BE0SHM/M0. KRISHNA
LIVEP LONS TO TRIUMPH OVEk? ALL EVIL. H/S

GREAT P E E P S ARE REM EM BEREP TQ TH/S PAU.