Daring and different, Miss Moti

KATHMANDU, May 5: Illustrator Kripa Joshi’s creation, Miss Moti, isn’t your normal comic heroine, in terms of the way in which she’s been created, she breaks the stereotype of Cat Woman and Betty Boop like portrayal of women in comics (and elsewhere). She also isn’t the ordinary comic heroine in terms of her personality either.

Here’s more about this inspirational character from her creator. [break]

Was there any particular incident that led to the birth of Miss Moti?

Miss Moti came out of my struggle with body image issues like being overweight. I wanted to create a positive character that could achieve and accomplish things regardless of her size. I was inspired by my mother who, despite her weight, has never let it hold her back from doing anything. She is very active and full of energy. There are always little elements in my stories that make you think that maybe events are not just in the imagination.

When I was doing my BFA in MS University, Baroda, I had made a few painting about being overweight. But the idea of creating a comic came about when I won a Fulbright Scholarship. There I was introduced to a whole new world of comics and graphic novels. I realized the scope of comics and the kind of stories one could tell through that medium.

What responses have you received for your work so far?

I got such a warm response from people. The best thing is that they respond to the personality and spirit of Miss Moti, her weight is not the focus.

One moment that has stayed with me was quite early in my comic career. A plump woman came to my table at a comic convention and after reading the Miss Moti books, she not only bought one for herself but bought two more to distribute to her libraries because she felt it was important for people and children to have a look at her positive character.

How has Miss Moti helped you overcome negative body image issues?

Miss Moti has helped me feel better about my weight issues and myself. She is the kind of person I would like to be, so she inspires me. Like Miss Moti, I aspire to not let my weight or body image hold me back from doing things I want to do.

How would you suggest girls and boys deal with their negative body issues?

I think the proliferation of images and advertising these days makes it very difficult for people, especially young adults, to not be influenced by them. Our society puts a lot of emphasis on appearance. And the ease with which images can be retouched now, gives us impossible standard of beauty that is difficult to achieve for a lot of people. And it can be disheartening, for both girls and boys.

The physical body is just one part of us.I think the emphasis in the society should be on health rather than on beauty. So my advice would be to be active and do things that you find interesting. If you do interesting things, you become an interesting person and other people will respond to that. Don’t let your looks or insecurities hold you back from doing the things you want to do.