Independent graphic novelists have already achieved good work in

"Independent graphic novelists have already achieved good work in terms of design, but all these great minds are writing in English. There is a need for people to write in Hindi." – Anurag Kashyap

In these words, Anurag Kashyap, the acclaimed filmmaker and cultural commentator, illuminates a vital truth about language, creativity, and cultural expression. He acknowledges the excellence already achieved by independent graphic novelists, celebrating their ingenuity in design and storytelling. Yet he also observes a limitation: the dominance of English, which, while universal in reach, leaves vast swathes of native expression unexplored. Kashyap calls attention to the need for creative work in Hindi, reminding us that language is not merely a tool for communication but a vessel for culture, identity, and the nuanced textures of human thought.

The origin of this quote lies in Kashyap’s lifelong engagement with Indian storytelling and cinema. His advocacy for Hindi reflects his belief that art flourishes most fully when rooted in the linguistic and cultural realities of its audience. While English offers global accessibility, it can sometimes obscure the depth of local narratives, humor, and emotion. By urging creators to write in Hindi, Kashyap highlights the importance of cultural authenticity, the need to allow the subtleties of one’s native tongue to shape storytelling, and the power of art to connect intimately with its people.

This insight resonates with the wisdom of the ancients, who understood that language and expression are inseparable from identity. Horace, the Roman poet, spoke of the value of writing in one’s own tongue, for it allows truth, emotion, and observation to flow naturally. Similarly, Kashyap emphasizes that storytelling in Hindi can capture the rhythms, idioms, and cultural subtleties that English cannot fully convey. The act of creating in one’s native language becomes both an artistic choice and a moral responsibility, a way to preserve and elevate the living heritage of a people.

Consider the story of Rabindranath Tagore, who wrote primarily in Bengali yet achieved global acclaim through translations. His work demonstrates how deeply rooted, native expression resonates universally, revealing the richness of culture and thought embedded in a local language. Like Tagore, Kashyap envisions creators who write in Hindi, producing works that remain authentic while potentially reaching wider audiences. He understands that linguistic diversity is a source of creative fertility, not limitation.

Kashyap’s reflection also underscores the interconnectedness of design and language. Graphic novels are both visual and textual media; design draws the eye, while language shapes the soul. The choice of language can affect tone, character, and cultural resonance. By urging creators to embrace Hindi, he highlights that the full power of storytelling arises when form and content harmonize with the lived experiences of its audience. This insight reminds us that true artistry is holistic, attending to every dimension of communication.

Moreover, the quote speaks to the role of responsibility in creativity. Talented minds, Kashyap implies, do not merely create for personal acclaim or global visibility; they must consider their cultural and linguistic impact, ensuring that their work nourishes the traditions and consciousness of their people. By writing in Hindi, creators participate in the stewardship of language, identity, and cultural memory, allowing their art to serve both present and future generations.

Lesson: My children, understand that mastery of craft is not enough; one must also honor the medium through which one speaks. Let your creativity be rooted in your culture, your language, and your people. Seek not only to impress the world, but to enrich the world you know most intimately. As Anurag Kashyap teaches, the words you choose, and the language in which you speak, carry profound responsibility and immense possibility.

In the end, Kashyap’s wisdom calls us to embrace both excellence and authenticity. Innovation is vital, yet it gains enduring power when expressed in the languages that carry our history, memory, and heart. To create in Hindi is not a limitation but an act of courage, a gesture that honors one’s roots while opening the door to universal understanding. Let every story, every design, and every word be both a celebration of craft and a testament to the richness of our culture, bridging past, present, and future through the power of expression.