Dakhni (or Dakni or Deccani) is often mistakenly considered a dialect of Urdu. But it is an amalgamation of Persian, Marathi, Kannada and Telugu languages.
In a quest to break stereotypes and create more meaningful content, Mohsin and his partner Alankrita Amaya have started the HalluBol initiative on Instagram.
Mohsin began his career in 2012 as a storyboard artist. A year later, he got his first commission as a comic book artist with Sufi Comics — a Bengaluru-based comic book publisher.
The concept for HalluBol is simple. “We showcase aspects of everyday life through the eyes of Dakhni speakers to the world, eradicating any shame or stigma associated with the language,” Amaya says.
Their vision for HalluBol is to expand the platform and invite Dakhni-speaking voiceover artists, writers, poets, illustrators, rappers, painters, and creators to collaborate with them.
“It becomes crucial for a cultural movement to emerge when a language’s identity is stripped, distorted, and generalised by mainstream perception,” Mohsin details.
Through their comic book, Mard Bann (Be a Man), the duo aims to address toxic masculinity through a short story. “It will incorporate a blend of humor and poignant moments,” he signs off.