This is my newsletter #33: Annada Menon
Hey there dear reader,
I am Annada, a freelancing illustrator. Glad you are here to read my newsletter. 2020 was a challenging year but i saw myself exploring and revisiting the most random things for inspiration and to mostly fill my time during the pandemic. So I thought I’d share a few books, songs and also movies and t.v shows.
So talking about ‘revisiting’, this is mainly about books that influenced me subconsciously i guess and eventually helped me choose a career as an illustrator. Hence instead of taking a step forward and indulging in something new in 2020 with books, I found stepping back or going into a nostalgic trip sounded more refreshing. I guess this is mainly because of the kind of content I was developing for my personal work and the research I needed to do for my commissioned work.
All of us are introduced to the combination of visuals accompanying words at a very young age. My brother who is 5 years older than me had a head start and already owned a huge stash of children’s books, comics and also encyclopaedias. I just had to take the next step to find my interests within the pile. It makes me ecstatic when i see it now as it is being observed with an artistic eye.
Illustrations mostly follow a fixed narrative and the best place to enjoy it is at ground zero which is comics and children's books. Here are a few books i managed to dig out during the lockdown period. But also sharing a few other books i randomly thought of as well which i find visually gripping.
Children's books, folklore/folktale and comics-
1) The adventures of Poldy - A beautifully illustrated series of books published by World Book. Poldy is a scarecrow and his little adventures. I have the 1st book from the series. Second book onwards it becomes educational and explores topics like colour, textures, shapes, places etc.
The illustrations in the book generously fill each page (Most importantly Poldy is such a sweet character that it can't even scare birds . I wish they made a good picture book about clowns too but I got introduced to Stephen King's IT before I could come across kid's content. Hence i still dislike clowns.)
2) Childcraft by World Book- I don’t know who has the entire set of these, i hope an 80s or 90s kid is reading my newsletter. Again, such an amazing set of books published by World book. Every book is precious but the stories and poems book is gold to me. The stories consisted of folk tales from Japan, China, India etc. I was introduced to classic stories like Goldilocks and the 3 bears, The dog and the bone, Icarus (image below, left) and many more. One of my favorites is the folk song ‘I know an old lady who swallowed a fly’ (image below, right).
3) Issun Boshi - the one inch boy (Japanese folklore) - In easier terms, let’s call this the Thumbelina of Japanese folklore. I read this story first in a Tinkle comic. I am unable to find this at home but I remember the simple illustration style of tinkle from the 90s. In one instance, Issun is hired by a princess to be a guard at her palace. There is a funny scene where he is protecting her from mosquitoes and I guess fights them with a needle as a sword. You won’t be able to find this version to buy now but do check out the link below to explore another beautiful take on the story. This is already on my wishlist. Hope to buy a copy soon.
https://www.justonecookbook.com/japanese-children-book-issun-boshi-one-inch-boy/
4) Ithihayamala fables of Kerala - I won't talk too much about this one since i have just just started reading it. I actually don’t have a clear memory of these stories . I just flipped through it though and the hand painted illustrations are a treat.
But do go online to know more:
https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/stories-from-ithihyamala-fables-of-kerala-IDH169/
5) Stories / fables for children from Germany (came across it last year) - Sorry, this could be a little disturbing or i don’t know if you are weird like me and could find it funny. But these stories would have been pretty traumatizing if I read them as a child. Wonder how the kids there felt.
Do watch this video of Comedian Flula Borg who talks about these stories on Conan o'Brien's show .
After watching it if you are still interested do read them as well from the link:
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/12116/12116-h/12116-h.htm
6) Hellboy - This is not a major recommendation but I am a huge fan and indulge in the art and stories of Hellboy over other cliche superhero comic books.
One of the other reasons I read it is the amazing use of Russian folklore. If you have heard of Baba Yaga well its one of popular ones used in the comics.I don’t wish to creep you out but if you like it, do check out a few more characters from the comics in the link:
https://screenrant.com/hellboy-legends-folklore-based-real/
7) Joe the Barbarian- This is one of the most interesting comics from my brother’s collection.
The book is published by DC comics and has 8 parts to it. I have read only the first book. It is about a boy who suffers from type-1 diabetes and if he doesn’t keep his blood sugar in control, he starts hallucinating and his surroundings turn into a fantasy land. Kind of an AR experience but without the technology / equipment.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8714027-joe-the-barbarian
Phew i hope i am not boring you. I just love pouring my heart out about comics and picture books. Let’s change it up now. How about a list of music, movies and tv shows. Hope you get to indulge in a few of these.
Music:
I did take a nostalgic trip when it came to music as well. But only sharing one musician from that list. Sharing a few musicians/songs who have become a permanent part of my list since last year:
1) Koroba by Tiwa Savage, the song is a mix of English and Yoruba, a Nigerian language (album - Celia). Also Koroba in context of the song means ‘Mind your business’ but literally translates to Carry your bucket.
2) Learn your lesson by Madison Mcferrin. She has a nice mix of Acapella to the song.
3) I’ll keep coming and Don’t be so serious by Low Roar. I love watching my brother play video games. After years, I sat through an entire gameplay during the lockdown. Death stranding made by Kojima productions had an eerie but gripping storyline.
I came across Low Roar through this game. The entire album of the game has been playing on loop since last year but these two songs are definitely favorites.
4) Warrior by Aurora - actually pick any song by this woman, madly in love with her energy. Her grounded persona makes her one of my favorite celebrities.
4) Grace and Coming around again by Simon Webb - This is a blast from the past. Maybe the only person from a boy band I liked listening to. He was part of the band Blue and every 90s kid knows one popular song by the band - One love. Webb made a few memorable songs after he went solo.
5) Enjoy Enjaami - Attaching an article about the tamil song that has gone viral this year. Please give it a listen and watch the powerful video too which has 70 million views so far.
Movies and TV shows:
I went into a strange hunt to find good romantic movies. It’s saddening to know that the ones that clicked for me all involved loss or depression. I won’t talk too much about the movies.
Will guide you to where you can watch them.
1) Teen romances (Don’t worry not recommending those problematic catfishing ones)-5 Feet Apart and All the Bright Places (Netflix), Chemical Hearts (Amazon Prime)
2) The Blue Jay (Netflix) - I recommend this movie if you watched Malcolm and Marie on Netflix and it got too heavy. The Blue Jay follows a similar format of only two actors in the entirety of its runtime and it is also in black and white. The movie is grounded, forgiving, innocent and something we need to watch as adults and say love doesn’t have to be complicated.
3) WandaVision (HotStar)- I never expected to be moved by a Marvel movie or any of their content before. But if you have been following the movies and unsure about this one give it a watch. My heart melted when Vision says: What is grief, if not love persevering?
( i am not crying you’re crying)
4) The Good Place (netflix) - I won’t say much about this one. BUT WATCH IT!
I have been neck deep into exploring content, hence i could just keep talking about it but i am mostly hoping it influences my work. I hope you found it fun too. Also do check out my Instagram (this is not a follow request, i find it very cringy to ask people to follow me): www.instagram.com/annada.n.menon
If you wish to extend your support, you can also fund me on Patreon which will help me create more traditional and digital content: www.patreon.com/annadamenon
Thank you so much for reading and Stay Safe.
Cheers!
Annada