Puffin Books recently released a new comic book called ‘Magic in Mussoorie’. The comic which has an interesting concept and story by Dehradun-based Atul Sethi and sharp expressions in all the illustrations by Shimla-based artist Vikas Upadhyay, is the first in a series set in the Garhwal Himalayas.
Reading the comic book revives memories of possibly everyone’s favourite childhood holiday destination. Filled with little stories and anecdotes about famous people and places associated with the town—from Ruskin Bond’s house Ivy Cottage to the Clock Tower Café, Pari Tibba (or the hill of the fairies), the Bon Monastery at Happy Valley and Char Dukaan’s delicious bun omelettes, the book is almost like a guidebook to the quintessential ‘queen of hills’—complete with its sights, sounds and smells.
Join Nakul Sahej and Kuku as they embark on a journey to the timeless hill station of Mussoorie. While roaming the quaint streets of Landour Bazaar, the two friends happen to enter an antique shop where they come across a book that has supernatural powers. Through this magical book, their adventures begin—leading them to travel one and a half centuries back in time.
They then go onto encounter well known historical figures, like Sir Andrew Scott Waugh and Radhanath Sikdar. They also go to Sir George Everest’s house at Hathipaon in Mussoorie, where they unravel a plot to steal the Koh-i-noor. This leads them to go to Maharaja Duleep Singh of Punjab who is staying at Castle Hill in Mussoorie to rescue the diamond.
Will Nakul and Kuku manage to change the course of history? Read this fun, unputdownable comic to find out!
Neha Kirpal is the author of “Wanderlust for the Soul”, a collection of short stories based on travel in different parts of the world. She has worked in the print, electronic and online media, and currently freelances for various publications. Her hobbies include reading, writing, travelling, listening to music and watching movies.
The air in the private wing of the City Palace in Udaya, Rajasthan, was heavy with the adrenaline of rebellion. Princess Surnima, a fierce spirit determined to live a life of meaning over title, slid the heavy iron key into the ancient lock of the east gate. Her brother, Siddharth Gautam, the Crown Prince, stood rigid behind her, his attention fractured by the enormity of their crime: treason against tradition.
“Hurry, Surnima,” Siddharth whispered, his voice barely audible over the wind. “The guard shift changes in moments. We must be gone before the sun crests the Aravali hills.”
Surnima pushed the gate open. The metallic groan was a scream in the pre-dawn silence. She didn’t allow herself a single glance back at the majestic palace—the home that demanded her sacrifice and dictated her very breath. She secured the gate quickly with a makeshift tie, severing her royal life with a single, decisive action.
As they sprinted across the dew-soaked lawns, Siddharth finally caught up to her. “Oh, run from the Royal Palace! City of Udaya, Rajasthan. You, Royal Princess, and Prince, running out of the Palace! Sis, why are you running with me? I am going because I want to achieve my goal of starting a company to help poor people with free or low-cost resources. The political pressure for alliances, like the talk of marriage into the Maxxie family, is making it impossible to focus on anything worthwhile. But why are you running from the palace?” asked Siddharth Gautam, turning to his little sister.
Surnima pulled her hood tighter, her gaze fixed on the road ahead. She replied sternly, “That brother, I was trying to escape my goal as well.”
“Your goal?” Siddharth scoffed, still running. “You cannot escape the life you were born to. You are just coming along for my escape, Surnima.”
They reached the secluded private car they had arranged and sped out of the city limits. The tension slowly eased, replaced by a quiet certainty. “No, Bro. I don’t want to stay at our palace without you, and I know you love Orchiit,” Surnima said, her voice quiet but firm. “You also want to escape your destiny. You want to open a free-of-cost or less-price company to help normal people, and you want to help a poor person achieve great heights. But the palace restricts you. It restricts your compassion.”
Siddharth, stunned that she knew his deepest, most secret ambition, was speechless.
Surnima continued, making her own profound declaration: “I am not going with you on your path. I cannot risk compromising your journey. I am going out of the country so our whereabouts are not found out. If we go together, they will only have one trail to follow. If we split, the confusion will buy us years of freedom. You go establish your company. I will go establish myself as an artist.”
Siddharth pulled the car over, shocked by the boldness and selfless nature of her plan. “What? You know all these things? And now you are leaving me to take a greater risk? By the way, who are you, and what is your goal, and where did I meet you? You need to answer all those questions before I allow my sisterly entry back into my life!”
Surnima smiled, an expression of pure freedom. “OK, Bro, now my name was the same as it is in the normal language before I left. Surnima’s meaning is Lakshmi. Now I will become an artist in the modern world. I will make my name through my art, not my title. I am going without a country’s visa or passport. This is my absolute break from the past—no paper trail, no official record.”
She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “By the way, you cannot contact me with anyone. When you contact your family or anyone, then I will contact with you. This must be clean. Now, I am only with Goutham Rana Rai. He is the trusted aide who orchestrated this two-pronged escape and will take me to my destination. OK, Bye. I am being led to go to Nepal. I will be safe there, out of sight, an anonymous person.”
Siddharth stared at her, the reality of their mutual isolation sinking in. She wasn’t just supporting his escape; she was maximizing its success by sacrificing their immediate relationship.
He turned back, his voice thick with emotion. “OK, Sis. Bye. I will miss you a lot. I know Orchiit will wait for me. She loves me, and I love her. I am doing this for my better future and to achieve my goal. Have a safe journey. I miss you.”
He collected himself, accepting her path. “OK, that’s a good name: Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, becoming Surnima, the artist. After five years, I will come back. I will have established my business, helped enough people, and carved out a life that is truly mine.”
He looked directly at her, making a vow stronger than any royal oath. “If I get married before then, I don’t love her. Orchiit is my love, my world. I will wait for her, and for you to return.”
Surnima stepped out of the car. They were at a desolate junction where a battered jeep was waiting, driven by Goutham Rana Rai. The sun was just beginning to paint the distant mountains.
“Five years, brother,” she confirmed, zipping up her small backpack. “I will be the artist, you be the change. May the uncrowned path lead us back to Udaya, free and on our own terms.”
Surnima climbed into the jeep. Siddharth watched as Goutham turned the vehicle onto a winding mountain road, heading toward the border. It disappeared into the morning haze, taking with it the hope and future of the Princess.
Siddharth put his car into gear, turning in the opposite direction, toward the nearest major city where he would begin his work in anonymity. He had five years to become the man worthy of his sister’s sacrifice and Orchiit’s love.