Ladakh’s young feminist graphic novelist turns mythical demon into a super-hero

By Tashi Morup. Dated: 10/21/2018 1:03:22 PM

LEH, October 20: Jigmet Angmo and her graphic novel Dungjonma made news nationwide when Outlook India flashed her story 'Meet Jigmet Angmo, Ladakh's First Graphic Novelist.’ More than that here in Ladakh her pioneering attempt is a history of sorts to write her own version of the mythical witch who rides central beam of houses and is a man-eater.
She decided to elevate this mythical character to a superhero. Jigmet questions 'Why it has to be a woman mostly?' the folk stories about bad spirits or ghosts in Ladakh. Moreover, she says, "Because Dungjonma already was a super-human (man-eater) who could ride the beam so I just thought of turning her powers towards helping the society just like other superheroes that kids grow up reading or watching and our Ladakhi kids could have their own local-hero. And it was a plus point that this superhero is a female."
Ladakhi society, like elsewhere in India or other parts of the world, is patriarchal and traditionally women had more or less fixed roles to perform. Today, with modernity rules are changing and Jigmet's outlook represent that change, which she has expressed through her graphic skill. She did her schooling in Leh first and then in Delhi. After her school she decided to do a course in Animation in Delhi Maya Academy of Advance Cinematic. She had full support from her parents, especially her Father Rinchen Namgyal who actually suggested this course, which he thought was good for her looking at her interest in arts.
Jigmet owes to her sister Sonam Angmo as well from the childhood days. Sonam world read comic book stories to young Jigmet that she listened to with great awe. Those stories and characters lived in her mind and heart always and led to what she is doing today. After finishing her animation course in Dellhi she started her internship with LAMO in 2016. Immediately, she got down to work and started developing her own story about this folklore. With rer graceful sketching skill, lot of patience and always cheerful, Jigmet utilised the winter time and warm sun on the terrace room of LAMO building to create what was going to be the first contemporary graphic novel of Ladakh.
In today's competitive time pressures start to build up early on children and youth in Ladakh. Normally, students are expected to score high in academics but Jigmet's family was rather easy on their children. They let both their daughters Jigmet and Sonam to do what they liked to do after their education, hence both of them have been explorative and Sonam too started her venture in Pashmina business.
Jigmet’s parents were never taken aback by unusual ideas she came up with, instead they were supportive to the core except for a little worry about the adventure side of Jigmet, her newfound passion – rock climbing! This extreme adventure sports has gained popularity in Ladakh in recent years. She does long cycling trips as well and goes for hiking often with her friends and colleagues.
"I paint a lot and also I'm a very outdoorsy person, I love hiking and going places, which also serves as a source of inspiration for my paintings and drawings and stories," she said adding that she believes that a person always has time for what he or she loves doing.

 

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