Silent Comic ‘Nanavu’ Explores Kochi’s Struggle with Tidal Floods
A newly published silent comic titled Nanavu, created by Kochi-born illustrator Athulya Pillai, captures the lived experiences of coastal communities confronting recurring tidal inundation. Through visual storytelling, the 28-page work illustrates the quiet disruption of floodwaters and the adaptive routines of residents who navigate daily life governed by ocean tides.
What Happened
Illustrator Athulya Pillai developed Nanavu after observing tidal flooding firsthand in vulnerable coastal pockets around Kochi. Although originally from the city, her direct exposure to the phenomenon deepened while working with Common Ground, India, an initiative addressing rural ecological and socioeconomic wellbeing. During that engagement, she collaborated with Kochi-based modelling solution provider Equinoct and conducted field research in Ezhikkara, one of the severely impacted zones.
Her artistic response was further influenced by a 2025 visit to KaBhumM, an art initiative spotlighting climate change impacts, as well as her prior work in Ladakh. Having spent time in northern India building artificial glaciers for water conservation, Pillai noted a stark contrast between water scarcity in the mountains and submerged households along the Kerala coast. This contrast, coupled with her observations of residents actively documenting local flood levels, prompted the creation of the book.
Pillai initially drafted the narrative through dialogue before converting it into wordless panels. She shifted from her usual layout of three to four frames to a multi-frame structure, applying a palette dominated by powder blue. The visual narrative features a young girl safeguarding her pink slippers on a high shelf before sleep, alongside wider coastal imagery such as Pokkali fields, shrimp farms, moon phases, and community flood monitoring.
Key Highlights
- Visual Subject: The 28-page comic depicts how coastal families manage tidal flooding, monitoring tides and moon cycles to prepare their homes.
- Silent Format: Pillai chose a wordless format to mirror the quiet arrival of tidal waters and reflect the unheeded struggles of affected populations.
- Field Research: The creator partnered with modelling provider Equinoct to visit Ezhikkara and observe grassroots flood-documentation practices.
- Artistic Background: After studying Retail and Exhibition Design at MIT, Pune, Pillai lived in Leh for three years, where daily doodling reignited her illustration career.
- Publication Details: Published by Studio Niyat, Nanavu is available through Mehrab Book Store. Pillai previously co-authored the illustrated books Yangdol (2021) and Eldo with Pankaj Singh.
Why This Matters
The release of Nanavu documents the direct connection between coastal geography and everyday human survival in Kerala. By showcasing how families observe moon phases, fishing patterns, and high tides, the work highlights informal systems of local preparedness. It also reflects how grassroots arts and collaborative documentation can translate environmental challenges—such as waterlogging in agricultural Pokkali fields and residential quarters—into accessible visual records.
What to Watch Next
Readers and observers can monitor how independent regional initiatives and modelling providers continue documenting tidal impacts across affected coastal belts like Ezhikkara. Further availability and distribution of Nanavu will proceed through Studio Niyat and Mehrab Book Store.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ‘Nanavu’ about?
‘Nanavu’ is a 28-page silent comic by Athulya Pillai that illustrates the daily life, loss, and resilience of coastal Kochi residents coping with recurring tidal flooding.
Why is the comic wordless?
Creator Athulya Pillai decided to omit dialogue to convey the silent nature of rising floodwaters and symbolize the unheard difficulties faced by flooded communities.
What inspired the creation of the book?
The book was prompted by Pillai’s field visits to Ezhikkara with modelling solution provider Equinoct, her involvement with Common Ground, India, and an exhibition visit to the climate art initiative KaBhumM in 2025.
Where is the book published and sold?
The comic is published by Studio Niyat and made available at Mehrab Book Store.
Source: The Hindu