I like to read comics and it is a type of art that really has no borders. It may be that comics are synonymous with the United States, Europe or Japan, but the truth is that, for example, there are also comics in India and one of the most popular comics is Savita Bhabhi.
That's what it's called India's most popular and controversial comic and today, in Absolut Viajes, we propose to know him. An Indian comic? Oh really? Well yes, so it's time to leave mangas and other Asian and Western comics for a while to discover a comic Made in India.
Comics in India
Let's take parts, said Jack the Ripper. So, let's start by getting to know the world of comics a little bit in this huge and vast country. Indian comics go by the name of chitrakatha. the word includes comic books and graphic novels that represent the culture of the country, and then, they are published in several of the languages spoken here.
Let's remember that India has a super rich religion and mythology, so the country has a long tradition of readers of books, graphic novels and comics from the earliest childhood. Still, the comics industry begins in the '60s, but only for the family and children public. The adult branch of the genus later evolved here, but eventually succeeded.
At an economic level, Indian comic was hugely successful in the late 80s and the beginning of the following decade, years in which the printers did not give to vast. Of course, similar printing and sales numbers have fallen since then, as throughout the world, and in terms of the children's segment it has not been able to compete with television channels or the video game industry.
Anyway, each year there are certain events that bring together the world of Indian comics, such as the India Comic Con, the Comics Fest India, the Indie Comix Fest or the New Delhi World Book Fair. And it is also true that many Indian comic creators have started migrating to the West working a little for Dark House, DC, Archies or Image.
Savita Bhabhi, the porn comic
Knowing a little about the world of Indian comics, let's now move on to this popular and controversial comic. Why controversial? It is that it is a pornographic comic and sex in India is quite an issue.
Savita is the name of the female lead, housewife with promiscuous behaviors according to Indian culture. The other word, Bhabha, means sister-in-law and is a respectful term used in the north of the country to refer to housewives.
The comic appeared for the first time in 2008, in March, and it was immediately controversial because Indian society is very conservative. Many said that the comic represented a liberal wing of society, but we already know that that wing is tiny.
But isn't pornography illegal in India? Yes, the production of pornography is illegal, so from the start the website where the comic was published was censored by the government in accordance with current law. But right away there were liberal claims and then many journalists joined in criticizing the government's measure, calling it mediocre and patriarchal. Thus, the waters were stirred enough that the comic was not destroyed.
At first the creators of the comic and the site in which it was published were kept in the anonymity, under the general name of Porn Empire, but a year later, in 2009, Puneet Agarwak, the creator of the site and second generation Indians living in the UK, revealed his identity to continue fighting against the ban. But the family was not having a good time and a few weeks later announced the go down to the comic.
It did not last long but it was a success, and then certain adaptations in other languages began to appear. Namely, in 2011 there was a comedyIn 2013 a movie and in 2020 a play, all inspired by the sexy character of the Indian housewife.
The Adventures of Savita Bhabhi
The formula is simple and as always successful when it comes to raising men's temperature: Savita is a young and beautiful woman, voluptuous and married. Knowing a little about Indian customs, we know that she is married because her hair is partially dyed deep red, and she also wears a gold earring that is the Indian equivalent of the wedding ring.
Savita also usually wears a traditional sari and the red knot between her eyebrows, the bindi. The husband is away from home, so to escape loneliness, boredom and sexual dissatisfaction Savita is very friendly with everyone who passes. And by friendly we say that she has sex with all of them. Nothing is taboo or sinful or prohibited. There is even some incest that could reveal us in the West ...
The comic is a true saga of forbidden sexual adventures and for that very reason it was a blow to the conservatism of Indian society. Additionally, the fact that the comic has been translated into nine of India's most popular languages has contributed to its success. A success that was reflected in the 30 thousand subscribers that it has known to have in its heyday.
Savita Bhabhi's success too it has sparked heated debates among sociologists. After all it is said that even today 70% of the Indian population is still very traditional. But, judging from the comic, the habit does not make the monk and that you wear a saree and look traditional does not mean that you cannot lead an active and even somewhat libertine sex life by your own cultural standards.
And that is what Savita Bhabhi illustrates very well, what happens indoors and not for the gallery We all know that things happen indoors, but nobody talks about it ... or at least there was not much talk in India until the arrival of this comic.
But have things changed in India? No, it seems that the Indians are not yet ready for a sexual revolution. In any case, the discussion raised is always positive and allows younger generations to discuss at least their sex life more free of taboos.