Come, indulge in the witty world of cartoons

Pictures, they say, speak a thousand words. So do cartoons. And what they say has humour, the soul of cartooning.

This essence of the art is beautifully captured at the 50th cartoon exhibition being organised by the Indian Institute of Cartoonists (IIC).

The 15-day exhibition will see 65 cartoons by various artists from all over the country. Alongside the works of legendary cartoonists like Maya Kamath, RK Laxman, David Low, Shankar Pillai, the works of budding artists are also being showcased at Indian Cartoon Gallery, the venue of the exhibition. The event kicked off on Monday.

With the IIC celebrating its golden jubilee, it was not surprising to see a growing interest in cartooning. While children, without an iota of doubt, find joy in the antics of cartoon characters like Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo and many others, adults too relish it. Liking for the theme may change as one grows older, but cartoons are of great interest to the adult population. Cartoons continue to give us the same joy, even as adults, though the source moves from comic books to newspapers or magazines. Sometimes, cartoons leave a mark for not what they say, but for what they leave untold.

For individuals who cannot read a whole book, cartoons offer a welcome relief. Within a tiny frame, cartoons are able to tease one’s intellect and at the same time give a good laugh. Cartoons put things in perspective.

Ask Ajmal PM, a student of Karnataka Chithra Kala Parishath, for he has been witness to his father’s undying interest in cartoons. “My father may be tired, angry or the day might have been bad, but when we sit together in the evening reading the newspaper, we never miss the cartoons and always have a good laugh. Perhaps this is why ever since he can remember, cartoons have been his passion,” says Ajmal.

“It is the only place where I can imagine a clean city. And in cartoons, a clean city can be a reality,” he says.

KN Balraj, cartoonist and writer throws some light on the trend in India. “Mainstream cartooning involves a little bit of journalism too and political themes are hot in India,” says Balraj. “But new arenas of cartooning are opening up and for people with a passion. There are huge possibilities,” he says.

And the future? “There are no two ways about it. Cartooning is alive, healthy and kicking,” says VG Narendra, managing trustee, IIC.