The comic series ‘Maayan’ combines Kerala folklore with fantasy adventure

Set in 15th century Calicut, the heroes of the Maayan comic series are an unlikely duo: Raman, a royal poet’s apprentice who has been forced to flee the palace, and Maari, a gifted Kalari warrior who belongs to a group of sorcerers known as the Maayans.

Their treacherous journey as they navigate hidden forces, the reality behind Maari’s identity, and how he became a sorcerer forms the core of Maayan, named after a group of sorcerers and warriors who supposedly lived during the reign of the Kalabhra dynasty, which ruled parts of southern India from the third to sixth centuries.

Launched by Carmond Infinity, a Kochi-based studio and produced by Rijas Sulaiman Nalakath, Maayan is created by Visakh PK and Ananthakrishnan TU. The former also co-wrote the series with Visakh VM. The first issue of Maayan was released at Kochi Comic Con in February by actress Anarkali Marikar and its fifth issue was released recently.

Team Maayan | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Visakh, also the creative director of Carmond Infinity, says, “For a long time, we wanted to create something rooted in Kerala folklore and culture. We observed how a figure like Odiyan (a shape-shifting figure from rural folklore in Kerala) has been explored so much in recent times. So we wanted to introduce something new rooted in the state’s history. At the same time, we wanted to explore what martial arts and arts we wanted to explore as martial arts. he says.

After pitching the idea to Rijas in December 2025, the creators sent out several samples of their work to the creators of the iconic manga series Crayon Shin Chan and One Piece at the Animators Guild India Fest in Mumbai. “They liked the books and their encouragement gave us the confidence to move forward with the project,” says Visakh.

Operations Manager Ruksana CA and Producer Rijas Sulaiman Nalakath | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The makers, who have sold more than 2,000 copies of the comic to date, attribute its success to the serial’s roots in Kerala folklore. “We were inspired by how Japanese anime has successfully adapted several of its legends into stories,” says Visakh.

Caramond Infinity created the Captain Raaj comic series last year in association with Kerala-based production house Weekend Blockbusters, known for producing Malayalam films Bangalore Days, Minnal Murali, RDX etc. “However, instead of a second issue, we are working on an animated series for the character,” says Visakh.

He also explains the importance of rural representation in the creation of comics and superhero stories. “People are used to superheroes in an urban setting. How will Superman in Kochi be different from the one already there? But when you think of Chaathana (the Malayalam equivalent of a goblin), it’s a thrill. A film like Minnal Murali worked because of the story in an unknown background,” says Visakh.

Mary in the Dead | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The team also believes that the popularity of films like Minnal Murali and Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has proven that the type of content they create is there. “Both Basil (Joseph) and Dominic (Arun) have shown the courage to create such characters. Our next step is to create a film or series. We are already in talks with producers and film directors who we want to bring on board as creative producers.”

Asked about the lack of comics from Kerala, Visakh says, “At events like Comic Con or Indie Comix Fest, we come across a lot of independent creators. The biggest challenge they face is lack of funding and not being able to develop it into a business. At the same time, there are publishers like Malay Publications who are releasing Amar Chithra Kadha in Malayalam.”

These challenges also affected Maayan. “Our first step was to create awareness of such a product. And now we’ve built a base of returning customers.”

The team is currently working on six issues. While the initial estimate of the total number of editions was 25, it has been increased to 50. “The film will take two years to make. If we can build a strong following by then, the film will also do well,” says Visakh.

Maayan comics can be purchased at www.maayancomics.com

Published – 27 July 2026 17:00 IST