A Comic Book Superhero and Rape Survivor:
Can She Change Attitudes Toward Sexual Violence?
Location
Performing Arts & Humanities Building : 132
Date & Time
April 13, 2016, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Description
Can A Comic Book Superhero and Rape Survivor Change Attitudes Toward Sexual Violence?
Ram Devineni, filmmaker, publisher, and founder of Rattapallax publishing and film production
Ram
Devineni is the co-creator of the innovative and hugely popular comic book, “Priya’s
Shakti,”which
helps illuminate attitudes towards gender-based violence. Priya’s
Shaktiarose
in the aftermath of a highly-publicized gang rape on a bus in New Delhi in
December 2012 that outraged India and the world. The comic book centers on the
Goddess Parvati and Priya, a mortal woman devotee and survivor of rape, and is
rooted in ancient matriarchal traditions that have been displaced in modern
representations of Hindu culture. Priya is the first Indian superhero who is a
rape survivor and a powerful symbol supporting movements fighting against
gender-based violence. Released only a year-ago, the comic book went viral with
over 400 news stories and was honored as a “gender equality champion” by UN
Women. Devineni will discuss the creation of the comic book, how comic books
and their superheroes have become mythological icons, and how to re-imagine
them to fight against real-life problems while still appealing to a popular
audience. Since “Priya’s Shakti” was one of the first effective uses of
augmented reality in a book format, Devineni will also discuss the design of
that technology to bring a book to life. The comic book is a beautiful fusion
of storytelling, technology, and social activism.
Bio: Ram Devineniis a filmmaker, publisher, and founder of the Rattapallax publishing and
film production company. He produced, edited, and directed the feature documentary The Human Tower, which was shot in India, Chile, and Spain. Recently,
he produced The Russian Woodpecker, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2015 Sundance
Film Festival. He is the co-creator of the augmented reality comic book, Priya’s
Shakti, which received a 2014 Tribeca
Film Institute New Media Fund award in partnership with the Ford Foundation.
Sponsored by the Dresher Center for the Humanities, the Visual Arts Department, the Asian Studies Program and the Gender and Women’s Studies Department.
Sponsored by the Dresher Center for the Humanities, the Visual Arts Department, the Asian Studies Program and the Gender and Women’s Studies Department.
