Passionate pursuer of the simple joys of comic books and cartoons

DEHRADUN: For many in Dehradun, the cowboy hat-clad figure of Sheikh Amir Ahmed, a city hotelier, is a familiar one. Ahmed is an avid memorabilia collector as well as art aficionado with a penchant for collecting quirky stuff like a piece of coal from the Titanic or a strand of Elvis Presley's hair. He also has a passion for cartoons and comic strips.Over the years, Ahmed has built up his collection to include personalised sketches done by comic books artists of legendary strips like Dennis the Menace and Between Friends. Ahmed says that his childhood interest in comics led him to seek out internationally acclaimed comic book creators and include the personalised work that they created for him, in his collection.
Pointing out the pride of his collection, a special sketch done by Ron Ferdinand who draws the ‘Dennis the Menace’ comic strips appearing in Sunday newspapers worldwide, Ahmed says with childlike glee, “When I told him about my love for comics, Ron drew two special sketches — of Dennis holding a placard with my caricature on it and another, of Dennis entering my hotel 'Rang Mahal' here in Doon.”
Reminiscing about his love for cartoon characters, the hotelier whose family has been settled in Doon for several decades, says “I must be in class V or VI at Cambrian Hall School, when I was once down with viral fever. Lying on the verandah of our house, I unconsciously drew the comic character of Richie Rich on the wall. All through my growing up years, and even after I got married, my mother Sayeeda Begum ensured that the caricature remained on the wall despite whitewash and renovations. It was a testimony to my love for cartoons and the immense pleasure that reading and collecting comic books gave during my growing up years.”
Another of Ahmed’s prized possession is a caricature done by Canadian cartoonist Sandra Bell-Lundy, creator of the comic strip ‘Between Friends.’The sketch done by her shows Ahmed sitting and drinking coffee along with the three main characters from the series who are raising a toast to him. There is also a personally signed caricature by popular comic book writer and artist Ty Templeton — who has done titles for Marvel Comics, the Archie series as well as The Simpsons — which occupies pride of place in Ahmed’s collection.
Speaking about why it is imperative that people should take up comic reading, Ahmed says, "I think life has become too complicated these days and it is through comics that one can spend some light moments. It is somewhat like going into meditation where you can forget your concerns and dive into another world. Reading comics is like voluntarily embracing laughter. I sincerely hope that the younger generation realises the immense joy that comics can provide and develop a love for this wonderful world occupied by characters like Tintin, Mickey Mouse, Mowgli, Dennis, Archie and so many others.”