In the limitless world of dreams, if you could meet your heroes, who would you want to see? What would you want to ask them, and what do you hope they’d say to you?

In artist, writer, and anti-caste activist Siddhesh Gautam (bakeryprasad)’s dreams, beloved social and education reformer Savitribai Phule looks a bit like his grandmother. From her, he receives hope and reassurance. From anti-caste icon and Father of the Indian Constitution BR Ambedkar, he finds inspiration and introspection. From scholar Gail Omvedt, he receives a reminder that “intellect is not locked in libraries”, and Dalit expression is art, no matter the medium or language it takes, be it stitching, hammering, or standing on rooftops, or writing on walls. Siddhesh takes us along on these dream encounters in his new graphic novel, The Blue Book (Penguin Random House India, Rs 799).