Aabid Surti to be honoured with lifetime achievement award

National Award-winning author, artist, cartoonist and playwright Aabid Surti will be accorded the lifetime achievement award at the Comic Con India (CCI) Awards 2015. The fourth edition of the ceremony will take place in Bengaluru for the first time, during the Bengaluru Comics Convention 2015 at White Orchid Convention Centre on April 4.

Aabid Surti published his first story ‘Tootela Farishta’ in Gujarati in 1965. Since then, Surti has written numerous short stories, novels, plays, children’s books, comic books, and travelogues. In 1993, he won a National Award for his short-story collection ‘Teesri Aankh’. So far, RK Laxman, Padma Vibhushan awardee late Mario Miranda and Pran Kumar Sharma have been honored with CCI Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Jatin Varma, founder, Comic Con India, shared, “Surti’s contribution to Indian comics has been phenomenal. We are very lucky to have him accept the award at the upcoming show in Bengaluru and interact with his legions of fans.” The CCI awards aim to recognise the work of all the professionals of India’s comic industry. It’s an attempt to bring into focus the novelty of this art form and acknowledge the efforts of numerous writers, artists and publishers in this field.

Nominations have been accepted in the categories of best graphic novel/comic book of the year, best penciller/ inker/ penciller-inker team, best colourist, best cover, best writer, best continuing graphic series among others. On the difficulties of the shortlisting process, Varma said, “A tremendous amount of talent was on display, it certainly wasn’t an easy task. And I am very excited to host the ceremony.” The jury, consisting of authors Neelabh Banerjee, Vishwajyoti Ghosh and writer Abhishek Sharma, will go through the submitted entries and eventually shortlist and announce the winners.