KERALA CARTOON ACADEMY

ARTIST SANKARANKUTTY BOOK COVER AWARD 2012 !

2012-01-28T08:49:00.000+05:30

The two book covers created by Sri Rajesh Chelode have been adjudged the best entitling the young designer to the 5th Sankarankutty Memorial Book Cover Award instituted by the Sankarankutty Smaraka Trust in association with the Kerala Cartoon Academy.

Verukalum Chirakukalum by PN Das (Green Books)

Shathru by U.A. Khader (New Books)

Artist Ashokan, one time colleague and disciple of Artist Sankarankutty, who designed more than 6000 book covers so far will receive the Special Jury Award.

The awards consist of citation and gift of Rs.5,000/-, which will be presented at the Kottayam Press Club at 12pm on the 29th January 2012.

The winning entry was selected from about 50 covers received from publishers and individuals by a jury consisting of Kerala Sahithya Akademi Chairman Sri Perumpatavam Sreedharan, Secretary, Sri R. Gopalakrishnan, Prof. Josy Joseph and SK Pottekkaat awardee, Sri Habeeb.

SANKARANKUTTY AWARD FOR BEST BOOK COVER 2011

2012-01-27T20:47:00.001+05:30

This year's SANKARANKUTTY AWARD FOR BEST BOOK COVER goes to Rajesh Chelodu from Kannur for his book cover SHATHRU and VERUKALUM CHIRAKUKALUM.

Award will be presented in a solemn function to be held at 12 noon at the Kottayam Press Club on the 29th January 2012. Award Jury Members: Perumbadavam Sreedaran (Kerala Sahithya Academy Chairman), Gopalakrishnan Kerala Sahithya Academy Secretry),Prof Jossy Joseph (Critic and writer) and Habeeb (S K Pottakkad Award winner). The Award, a bundle of a cute memento, a citation and a gift cheque for Rs.5,000/- put together is instituted by the Kerala Cartoon Academy along with Artist Shankarankutty Trust set up in the name of the late artist-cartoonist who holds the record for the maximum number of book covers designed in any Indian language .

Artist Ashokan will also felicitated with special mention award for his contribution to the Book cover design art at the same function. all are welcome.....

KCA CARTOON-CARICATURE AWARDS 2012 !

2012-01-23T06:40:00.000+05:30

Entries are invited by the Kerala Cartoon Academy for this year’s Cartoon & Caricature Awards 2012 for School & College Students . Students from Std VIII to Plus 2 will be categorised as SCHOOL and any student above that , as COLLEGE. The cartoonists are hereby requested to please forward upto 3 entries in each of the two categories, drawn in A4 size paper so as to reach

Kerala Cartoon Academy, Amarakerala Building, 2nd Floor, behind Townhall, Ernakulam North, Kochi-682018.

The applicants are free to colour their works but the drawing and colouring shall be done only by hand. You may, however, scan the cartoons/caricatures into computer after drawing and colouring and send them without any manipulation through graphic painting tools in digital format (JPG / A4 / 300dpi ) to cartoonacademy@gmail.com

Subject for Caricature : ANNA HAZARE

Subject for Cartoon : WASTE-FREE KERALA
( മാലിന്യമുക്ത കേരളം)

Last Date for receipt of the works : 29th February 2012

On the forwarding cover should be written Kerala Cartoon Academy Awards. Selected cartoonists will be intimated by 10.03.2012. Awards will be presented at a solemn function to be held in March 2012 at Kochi.

HURRY UP ! DOODLE AWAY YOUR PENT UP AMBITIONS !

THIS WORLD IS SHORT WITHOUT YOUR CARTOONS !

LKA CAMP ON 24-26 FEBRUARY 2012 AT ALUVA

2012-01-22T22:08:00.001+05:30

Kerala Lalitha Kala Akademi is setting stage for a 3 day camp for the members of the Kerala Cartoon Academy from the 24th (Friday) to 26th (Sunday) February 2012 at YMCA Hotel, Aluva. The scenic background of the meeting place lying by the side of Periyar river is expected to provide serious inspiration to the continuous cartoon workshops, interactive sessions, hands-on training and talks to be held on the subject ' ANATOMY '. The LKA has offered to include upto 50 cartoonists in the camp, including dignitary cartoonists to be invited from other states.

The main purpose of chosing ANATOMY as the theme of the camp is the pervading reality that many of us cartoonists are stuck in the same old style we started out with years back . Years of drawing in the same style without getting the benefit of sincere criticism from fellow cartoonists or readers themselves, have also weared off a portion of our sense of proportion, perspective and logic. What we need now and have been pleading to the LKA for years, is a refresher course on ANATOMY - of living things and objects, as well.

In the 3 day camp, we would all assess each other's work on the vital 3 aspects of Quality of drawing, Ideation and Brevity in Texting(dialogue writing). Master artists in Kerala would off and on chip in with their observations and experiences in the ANATOMical perspective.

As most of the cartoonists seem to shy away from the art of caricature let alone on-the-spot-caricaturing, we will have a sound session on the subject, as well, taken by a Master in that art with the help of modern graphic tablets, if available. It is felt this area needs immediate improvement as commercial chances in caricaturing have been on the rise.

Members are requested to forward their willingness to participate in the camp to cartoonacademy@gmail.com . Under no circumstances, direct application by members will be entertained by the LKA. LKA would select the required no. of cartoonists in consultation with the Chairman and Secretary, KCA.

Send Cartoons for 2 Causes 1. ROAD SAFETY and 2. FINANCIAL LITERACY

2012-01-21T08:50:00.000+05:30

Dear Members,

Here are two occasions for us to contribute cartoons for Social Causes :

1. ROAD SAFETY

The Motor Vehicles Department has invited 20 cartoonists for a 1 Day Cartoon Workshop on Road Safety to be held at the State Guest House, Ernakulam from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm on Monday, the 30^th January 2012.

PROGRAMME

9.00 am - Registration

9.30 am - Inauguration

10.00 am - Awareness Programme (MV Department)

11.30 am - Tea Break

11.45 am - Cartooning (Themes will be given)

1.00 pm - Lunch

2.00 pm - Cartooning continues

4.00 pm - Tea Break

4.15 pm - Discussion/ Conclusion

The main themes on which the invited cartoonists are to draw are as follows :

1. Mobile Driving

2. Motor Cycle riding & Helmet usage

3. Seat belt usage

4. Drunken drive

5. Safe Parking

6. Over speed

7. School Buses

Members are requested to send their cartoons/Posters, to cartoonacademy@gmail.com , not later than 28/01/2012. Please ensure that your cartoons are of very good quality and in colour so that they could be also used as posters in the ensuing campaigns of the Motor Vehicles Department, as well. Cartoonists who are willing to attend the Workshop on the 30th January may arrive at the venue on time. Please note that only the Travelling expenses would be reimbursed by the MV Department.

2. FINANCIAL LITERACY

The Reserve Bank of India is planning to spread investment awareness in panchayaths where a minimum of 5000 people reside but no banking facilities exist. There is a convention coming up kickstarting the Campaign on the 11^th February for which cartoonists are invited to make promotional cartoons / Posters on the following themes :

1. Bank is friendly to Common Man, contrary to the belief that

they are for the ‘big people’ in society

2. Encouraging Investment tendency in young age

3. Anti-human business of Blade companies/Loan sharks

4. Apply Bank Loans for viable causes

5. Security to bank deposits compared to deposits in private concerns

6. Bank deposits are used for Social Causes.

Members are requested to send their cartoons/Posters, to cartoonacademy@gmail.com , not later than 05/02/2012. Please ensure that your cartoons are of very good quality and in colour so that they could be also used as posters in the RBI’s ensuing campaigns, as well.

LALITHA KALA AKADEMY BONANZA TO CARTOONISTS !

2012-01-18T20:33:00.001+05:30

The Kerala Lalitha Kala Akademy has on 16/01/2012 announced Schemes of Insurance coverage and Membership Cards to practicing cartoonists . Duly filled up applications to reach the Akademy office on or before 20th February 2012.

All are requested to grab this opportuity !

We are waiting for your YESUDAS CARICATURE !

2012-01-08T10:18:00.000+05:30

Dear Cartoonist,

The Kerala Cartoon Academy is , this time, bringing out a fabulous collection of 150 caricatures of the legendary playback singer of the country, especially malayalis, Gaanagandharvan DR. K.J. YESUDAS who is celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the presence of his godly voice on the celluloid.

Last year, the Kerala Cartoon Academy had the memorable occasion to present our Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, with a 5kg heavy collection of 123 Manmohan caricatures at the PMO. The caricatures were selected out of those drawn by cartoonists across the world. The compilation is available in book form with the Academy. Pictures on the exhibition conducted at the Durbar Hall Art Gallery, Kochi can be viewed here : http://cartoonacademy.blogspot.com/2009/02/123-cartoon-show-at-lalit-kala-academy.html

Youtube video on Asianet TV coverage of the 123 Manmohan Singh caricatures : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i7fAoW1jrk&feature=player_embeddeda

We wish to make a grander repeat, this time, with the Indian film buff’s most beloved singer for the unforgettable contribution made by him to the Nation.

In an elegant function to be held at Kochi (date will be informed), we propose to present the singer with a compilation of top class YESUDAS CARICATURES created by cartoonists situated across the world. The members present will also make on the spot caricatures of Dasettsan and his life partner, Prabhachechi, which will be presented to them by a dignitary then and there.

Join hands withe the Kerala Cartoon Academy to realise a cherished dream ! We will make the occasion truly unforgettable and hilarious for the Malayalees’ beloved family.

pic courtesy : www.6000024.com

PLEASE SEND YOUR YESUDAS CARICATURE to
cartoonacademy@gmail.com !

LAST DATE FOR RECEIPT : 31st JANUARY 2012

Resources for participants for photo/biography reference :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K._J._Yesudas

http://www.yesudas.com/

http://www.vijayyesudas.com/ Vijay Yesudas’ page

MARIO MIRANDA - Pioneer of 'peopled' cartoons passes away

2011-12-11T18:58:00.002+05:30

Mario de' Miranda (85), the great cartoonist who decorated his maliceless cartoons with impeccable hatchings and cross hatchings to unsurpassed architectural perfection passed away this morning.

Some of the Kerala Cartoonists would remember the halcyon days of cartoon camps in the 1980s when in 1985, a cartoon supremo trio landed in Kochi to grace the 2 day cartoon camp organised by the Kerala Lalit Kala Academy at the Bharath Tourist Home. When the grave looking Abu Abraham patiently listened to the deliberations and the swashbuckling Kutty revelled the young fans with his volley of repartees like a typical malayali karanavar, the handsome 59ish Mario condescended every autograph seeker with a flashy Miss Fonseca or Bundaldass or Nimbupani in a flurry. Language did distance most of the malayali cartoonists from this cartoonist of refined tastes, but time and again, Mario crossed this barrier with tips on clean drawing given to participants with an innocent mischievous smile .

There has been no member in the KCA, who imbibed the style of Mario. Perhaps, the level of perfection was too much for asking. Or the malayali editorial cartoonists big and small, enthused by the eternal dichotomy of political figures from the two camps in State politics providing enough fodder for sustenance could not give themselves away to populating every cartoon with 'ordinary' milling figures competing for physical space in the cartoon and readers' attention all without a speck of wily design on their faces.

Mario's people exuded ardent passion for life, but not at the expense of others. When we turned our eyes away from his cartoons, we always feel, this world is more livable. And that is the essence of Art.

Kerala Cartoon Academy has lost one more Hero soon after the colossal loss of Kutty Sir. A master craftsman is gone. One more of the last representatives of the Greats in Indian cartooning has departed. KCA join the bereaved family in grief.

Dignitaries remember Mario HERE :)

KCA @ Thiruvananthapuram Secretariat

2011-12-10T17:10:00.000+05:30

Sathyadev, the local cartoonist and the tallest - and the 'sweat'est too - in the KCA tribe did a marvellous job in securing a 30ft. wide strip straight across the statue in the Secretariat round. His contribution in making the

function a success at a time when the press people were hovering around the sanctum sanctorum in the famous building where the Ministers were busy thrashing out a meaningful resolution in the All Party Meet, was outstanding.

Chairman, Secretary(cameraman) and the Co-ordinator used up the remaining nails, pins and gum in less than 2 hours.

It was 9.30 am. Cartoon sympathisers and pro-dam ists had

begun to trickle in and moon about in anticipation.

10am. The crowd swells pleasingly. On our right,

a trivandrum-based Siddhashram inmates had
drawn out a neat shamiana complete with
plastic chairs, charpoy and Uniformed

activists. The prayer path to Dam resolution !

The Senior cartoonist and the maestro of Cartoon
Camps that flourished from the early 80's,
the once-in-police Shri Sukumar, the

soft-spoken, patronising ex-PRD person,
Shri P.V. Krishnan and the imaginative school
teacher, Shri Karthika Kattanam

were the early birds , in that order.

Pleasing sights....

Pannyan Raveendran was the first celebrity
to the venue. Had to breeze through the
cartoons as inside the House something
more interesting was brewing.

A strained standing effort by Sajjive
pitching the sketchbook against the Secretariat
fence was gracefully accepted by
this man of stunning hirsuite features

\
Press Trust of India President, Sri M.P. Veerendra
Kumar, former minister Kadannappilly
Ramachandran and Minister for Agriculture, Sri K.P. Mohanan crowd around the quintessance-of-the-Mullapperiyar-issue-in-cartoon - TG Jairaj's
man sinking in the flood clutching on to the plaque
in the Mullapperiyar dam marking 136ft
as the final refuge. Kudos to one of
the youngest cartoonists of KCA !

After the inaugural blackening of the white
banner with brush, it is Prasannan's turn.

Was the newspapaper baron taken to the
times when editorial cartoonists were
institutions by themselves ?

KCA @ Kollam Press Club

2011-12-10T12:07:00.001+05:30

Cartoonist Samuval felicitated by representatives of the Kollam

Press Club in Delhi . Cartoonist Sudheernath, Senior journalist, N Ashokan,

Congress leader Pethambara Kurup, the cartoonist and Mary Samuval

It was 2.45 pm. The blank whilte spread enticed Ex-MLA and Ex-Chairman,
KCA, Sri M.M.Monaye to give vent to his thought on the Mullapperiyar.

6 footer Local cartoonist and Chied Editor, Hasyakairali,
a leading humour magazine in Kerala, Sri S.Mohan starts
off from the mostly unreachable upper quarter of the banner :)

Veteran Sri PV Krishnan patronisingly chats with

Sri Sreekumar, one of the newest members.

Mayor, Kollam Corporation struggles through the cluster of pressmen

to give a dash of feminine thought on the issue

The poster designed by the Kollam Press Club on Samuval was a beauty.

Earlier, at the press meet organised by the Kollam Press Club and

Kerala Cartoon Academy jointly, to remember Samuval cartoons

Mullaperiyar anxiety campaigned through Cartoons

2011-12-08T08:12:00.000+05:30

Khaleelullah Chemnad receives Limca Record

2011-12-04T17:12:00.004+05:30

Scenes from the grand function organised at Kazargod to felicitate

the gulf-based KCA member, Sri Khaleelullah Chemnad who got

into the Limca Book of Records as the only Indian to perform

anatomical Arabic Calligraphy Kerala Cartoon Academy was a

special invitee to the function where Sri Karunakaran, MP, Kazargod
gave away the coveted prize.

DAMTOONS bursts !

2011-12-04T09:13:00.000+05:30

Floodgates of http://damtoons.blogspot.com/ were officially thrown open to the public by Shri P. Karunakaran, MP, Kazargod on 4th December. This latest online venture was inaugurated at an august gathering specially invited by the Kerala Cartoon Academy. KCA chairman Prasannan Anikkad, cartoonists Sudheer Nath and Khaleelullah Chemnad also were present.

The blog designed exclusively for cartoons on the Mullapperiyar issue that only seeks to sensitive minds in India and in Kerala and Tamilnadu especially, about the great human tragedy that might engulf Kerala like the holocaust is in the lookout for more cartoons on this touchy issue from cartoonists around the world.

The cartoons will be displayed on the 5th December at the Kollam Press Club and on the 6th December before the Kerala Secretariat, Trivandrum, in line with the mission the KCA has taken upon itself.

All are requested to be present at both the venues. Let's join this mighty CAUSE !

SEND YOUR MULLAPPERIYAR CARTOONS !

2011-12-02T06:09:00.002+05:30

SEND YOUR MULLAPPERIYAR CARTOONS !

Kerala Cartoon Academy is starting a

MULLAPPERIYAR CARTOON BANK !

The purpose of the Bank is simple -

Collect maximum number of Mullapperiyar Cartoons.

Post them in our newest blog exclusively for Mullapperiyar Cartoons ,

http://www.damtoons.blogspot.com/

Display those cartoons at special functions organised / associated with by the KCA.

and finally, distribute these cartoons to whoever is in need of these Mullapperiyar Cartoons.

Please send us your Mullapperiyar Cartoons IMMEDIATELY. But, please bear one thing in mind.

Bring life to this issue on paper not with a mind bent on hate and propagandizing.

Kerala Cartoon Academy does not want hate cartoons or Ant-Tamilian cartoons.

We just want to remind the world of the horrendous human tragedy that might flood our beautiful land,

which will cost 30 lakhs of human lives and set the Kerala economy 40 years backwards.

We are for water for our neighbour and precious life for all of us.

We do not want to die.

Please draw your Mullapperiyar Cartoons only in this spirit.

Please remember that there are instances in recent history of cartoons

having been cause of irreparable damage to racial relations,

the Kerala Cartoon Academy will be mercilessly stringent in selecting cartoons

with the right spirit for its blog and future use.

Nothing at the cost of basic human values AND HUMAN LIFE !

RUSH YOUR Mullapperiyar Cartoons IN 3 DAYS !

The first exhibition to be held at Kollam Press Club at 10 am on the 5^th December !

Warmly,
Sajjive
Secretary, KCA
Mob:8547001001

LALITA KALA ACADEMY AWARDS- Entries invited !

2011-11-20T07:16:00.000+05:30

Entries are invited by the Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy for this year’s Cartoon Exhibition and Award. The awards include the State Award for Rs.20,000/- and two honourable mentions for Rs.10,000/- each. Those who want to participate may please forward their three cartoons drawn after 01-01-2010 in the size 10’ X suitable width showing the title of the cartoons, to the Secretary, Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy, Thrissur -20 along with the following:-

1. Bio-data of cartoonist including address, telephone

2. One self-addressed stamped envelope

Last Date : 30th November 2011

On the forwarding cover should be written State Cartoon Exhibition 2011. The photographs sent are to be compulsorily received back. Selected cartoonists will be intimated after the preliminary selection.

Works of all cartoonists selected in the preliminary selection will be included in the State Exhibition and entry forms for the exhibition will be forwarded to them, which after filling up have to be delivered to Durbar Hall Kalakendra of the Academy at Ernakulam along with entry fee of Rs.50/- in cash and the cartoons neatly framed in A3 size within 15 days of receipt of the entry form.

Entries Invited to the ‘Cartoonist Shankaran Kutty Memorial Book Cover Award.

2011-11-18T23:02:00.001+05:30

Cartoonist Sankaran Kutty Memorial Trust and Kerala Cartoon Academy invite entries for the Fifth Best Book Cover Design award 2011. The related books should be published in the years 2010 and 2011. Please furnish details of the artist i.e. Full name, address, Phone Number ,a photo, short Bio data and e-mail address, separately.

Deadline :30th of November, 2011

Artists or publishers can send the entries to:

Secretary

Kerala Cartoon Academy,

2nd Floor,Amarakerala Buildings,

Kalabhavan Road,Kochi-682018.

Kerala,India.

The awards will be given away at a function to be held to commemorate artist Sankarankutty in the st week of December 2011 at Kottayam.

Kottayam Cartoon Camp for KUTTY !

2011-11-15T02:42:00.001+05:30

A one day cartoon camp was organised by the Kerala Cartoon Academy in association with the most prominent art school in Kottayam, KSS School of Arts in the Kottarathil Shankunny Smaraka Kalamandir, Kotimatha on the Childrens' Day 2011. The workshop carried in its entirety, the spirit of the camp culture the KCA has been espousing over the years. The attendance was slightly less than normal fare in our camps but the capacity of the kids to imbibe what the tutors said in their classes was really pleasing and the honour given to the Kutty cartoons was simply evident in the way they were displayed in the hall. KCA takes this opportunity to profusely thank S/Shri Sankar and Asokan, the Principal and The Director, respectively, of the KSS School of Arts for giving a display of their refined aesthetics in exhibition of cartoons.

Earlier on the day, the function was formally inaugurated by the Hon'ble Minister, Shri Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan by drawing a picture himself.

Please see the rest of the story unravelling through the pics below :

Prasannan, Chairman, KCA welcomes...

The Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has just run with the
times giving finishing touches to a pest infested coconut tree

Nathan, one of the champions of cartoon camps from the early 80's -
the others being S/Shri Sukumar, PV Krishnan, Yesudasan and Toms
- celebrates his home-coming after the holidaying in the US with his children

Madhoos the stylist caricaturist from Thrissur caught in the midst of a
live-caricaturing spree. He along with Santhosh (Thrissur) and
Jairaj (Ernakukulam) form the new on -the-spot caricaturists troika.
Happy news for KCA.

The kids watched by the KCA tutors from the front
and by the parents from the other side..

Santhosh, Anil Vega revving up for their morning sessions with the kids

Spot the Odd Man Out ! .... Cartoonist Balu among
the kid crowd watching a demonstration

Morning session was supervised by Balu, Anil Vega,
Madhoos and Surendran Varachal.

While the teacherly Karthika drumrolled and 'folksonged' the kids into lunch break

Surendran Varachal, the snake charmer cartoonist taught easy doodles

Balu who demonstrates the neck factor in human anatomy, under
the oil portraits of great literary giants of malayalam
language of the early centuries

later teaches a participant to doodle his way out

Raju Nair, Cartoonist, Deepika daily pampers
the two enthusiastic KCA members, Surendran and Madhoos

The energy-bundle former secretary & Programme Co-ordinator
of the present Committee, Sudheernath and Nathan, flame
of the first cartoon camps of the early 80's..

Sajjive, the FAT cartoonist had to dish out his '1 minute caricatures'
to appease the caricature hunters. Jairaj TG(Deepika),
a caricaturist in fast making, looks on.

ladies first...

Two fresh journos from Mathrubhumi

Sankar, Principal, KSS School of Arts....

then a parent..

and so on till.... getting caught during the act by a student

Memoirs on Kutty by journalist Musafir and cartoonist E.P. Unny.

The guests in the evening session : S/Shri B.Sasikumar (Chairman,
Publication Committee, SPCS), V.N.Vasavan, Ex.MLA and
K. Madhavanunni, Director, KSS Trust

Adv. VB Vinu, former Chairman, Oil Palm India Ltd. and Artist Ashokan
zealously guard the artwork made by the minister Thiruvanchoor this morning

Fr Thomas Puthussery, Director, Darsana Cultural Centre (Rt.extreme)

The October 2011 issue of CARTOON JALAKAM released
by Shri Vasavan. Shri Nathan, cartoonist receives the issue
with the cover carrying a cool caricature by Rethish.

The 8 page brochure released by Shri KA Francis, Chairman,
Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy. The brochure designed by cartoonist
Sajjive should be able to speak smartly for the KCA before
sympathisers and promotors of programmes to come.

Shri K.A. Francis, Chairman, Lalitha Kala Academy graces the function

Shri Toms, the oldest member in Kerala of the KCA muses about the
significance of the editor in moulding destiny of editorial cartoonists

Meeting dispersed.....

OUR NEW BROCHURE !

2011-11-02T04:01:00.002+05:30

For so long, we have been without a printed summary of what we have been doing spiritedly all these recent years. Our long time benefactors, Associates and fellow travellers were wholeheartedly ready to be of assistance even without having to be fed an idea of the uniqueness and volume of many of the programmes, only a group of our coherence and persevearance could have done.

Now, after such a long time, we are releasing an 8-page Brochure at the Kutty Comemmoration function to be held at Kottayam on the 5th November. The Brochure is expected to speak to the public singly and meaningfully for this wonderful organisation, KERALA CARTOON ACADEMY !

Please leaf through the pages .....

This brochure was designed by Sajjive, Cartoonist.

A good cartoon is like a raga. The trick is ‘riyaz’

2011-10-25T09:39:00.004+05:30

Puthukodi Kottuthody Shankaran Kutty, known simply to the newspaper reading world as Kutty, one of India’s leading political cartoonists, has passed away in the United States at the age of 90.

Part of the legendary troika of cartoonists that comprised Shankar and Abu Abraham, Kutty’s work appeared first in the now-defunct National Herald and later in the Bengali daily Ananda Bazaar Patrika.

********************************************************************
When two practitioners, generations apart, sit down to chat, a one-way flow of wisdom should naturally ensue. Among other things, this cartoonist defied this one too.

On that August morning in 1985 when I met him first, Kutty was at the INS building earlier than the place had woken up. “I come in by nine to drop my cartoon at the Ananda Bazar office and leave before the wise guys turn up,” were his opening remarks.

He had little use for peer inputs, “however wise or otherwise”. Before anyone else in the Capital, he had made up his mind on the day’s newsmakers and the verdict signed and sealed was ready for dispatch.

Quite apart from Abu, O.V.Vijayan and Rajinder Puri, the editorial cartoonists I grew up on, Kutty came with no thought balloon. This compact cartoonist just sat there freely chatting, waving his hands about and the cartoon seemed to emerge like a gestural extension.

Pen and paper were incidental to his art.

He would grab the most non-descript of writing instruments and sketch on anything short of the blotting sheet, waste newsprint to butter paper. The drawing looked amazingly finished, with all things cartoonish in place, including that inimitable impishness which marked his work.

Surely he couldn’t have so effortlessly done this 100-metre dash day after day for as long as M.F. Husain painted. In the many meetings that followed our first, Kutty did casually allude to his craft, in terms that hardly matched the everyday business of news cartooning.

“Things are easy once you master the face like a raga. Do riyaz.”

These venerable musical metaphors were however, in keeping with Kutty’s breeding. He was trained by Shankar in the only gurukul cartooning has seen — the Shankar’s Weekly.

Shankar ran a two-room office in Odeon Building in Connaught Place in Delhi like a true ustad. Far from mild-mannered, the master with his classical notions on pen and brush to perspective could have traumatised a lesser disciple.

Kutty played along as best as he could only to ever so furtively depart from the guru’s elaborate choreographed frames to a more functional mode.

Once India’s honeymoon with Swaraj was over, the emerging politics was being held together by satraps across the country and not always in consonance with Nehruvian norms. This called for more immediate random responses and true to his calling, Kutty was ready with a style that caught the political drift away from Delhi and across the regions. This stood him well when he eventually left English newspapers to embark on an incredible leap into the unknown.

In Ananda Bazar Patrika he went on to become the best known Bengali cartoonist. He had already done his riyaz on B.C. Sen, Atulya Ghosh and the two barristers who ran Bengal — Siddharth Shankar Ray and Jyoti Basu. Kutty knew his turf but the unknown part is awesome.

This Malayali, who knew no Bangla, wrote his terse captions in English for the news desk to translate into Bangla. From Bengal’s Bihari, Oriya immigrants to the rooted bhadralok, none noticed this historic sweep of the fragile news cartoon across three languages.

In an earlier stint with this paper from 1962 to 1969, Kutty did what all the greats in this profession do — anticipate a worthy successor. He prepared the Express reader for Abu Abraham’s elegant minimalism.

Text and cartoon: courtesy E.P. Unny/ The Indian Express

Death of doyen of Cartoons condoled

2011-10-24T08:31:00.010+05:30

The death of Cartoonist P.K.S. Kutty (90), who hailed from here, was condoled by his friends and other Cartoonists inMadison in the U.S.A., where he has been spending the evening of his doodle filled life on Sunday.

The veteran Cartoonist of international repute passed away at Madison on Saturday. Puthukodi Kottuthody Shankaran Kutty, popularly known as Cartoonist Kutty, was born at Ottapalam on the banks of Bharathapuzha.

He had his schooling at Ottapalam Government High School and College education at Malabar Christian College in Kozhikode. He left Ottapalam for Delhi in 1941 and joined as a Cartoonist in `National Herald’ run by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Kutty had training under the famous Cartoonist Shankar. He was one of the trio of Indian cartoonists along with Shankar and Abu Abraham.

Later he joined Ananda Bazar Patrika, a leading Bengali Daily. A neighbour of Mr. Kutty at Ottapalam, P.T. Narendra Menon, writer and cultural activist, remembered that the late Cartoonist used to visit Ottapalam frequently till the death of his sister Kalyanikutty Amma and her husband Narayana Kurup, a leader of the erstwhile Praja Socialist Party (PSP) 20 years back.

Mr. Menon said that when he used to visit Delhi he made it a point to meet Mr. Kutty at his residence. Mr. Kutty was eager to know about his home town and his relatives and friends, Mr. Menon said.

But for the last ten years Mr. Kutty was living in U.S.A, Mr. Menon said. Cartoonist Unni described Mr. Kutty as the doyen of Cartoonists in the country. He was the last link of famous Cartoonists like Sanjayan, Shankar etc., Mr. Unni said.

The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) in a statement here on Sunday has condoled the death of one of the greatest Cartoonists of the country. IJU President Suresh Akhouri said Mr. Kutty was a prominent personality among the doyens of Indian media persons.

His Cartoons were liked by both the intellectuals and the common men alike. He was a talented and gifted Cartoonist who kept the standards of journalistic ethics and principles very high, Mr. Akhouri said.

The Kerala Cartoon Academy is proud to remember that the master cartoonist was particularly enchanted by KCA's activities . Shri Kutty used to be in regular touch with the KCA even well before it paid a fitting tribute to the hero who is no more with us through " KUTTIYKKAAY KUTTIKALKKAAY ".

Kerala Cartoon Academy has lost a great opportunity to know more of the times when the genre of political cartoonists enthralled and revelled like never after. It is particularly depressing that the loss has occured at a time when the KCA was planning to create for posterity, a video archive of all malayali cartoonists performing their art.

Kerala Cartoon Academy can never forget this Grand Old Man of Indian Political Cartooning .

Read a beautiful remembrance by Shri Musafir Elayidath, that appeared in Malayalam News published in Saudi Arabia

(Comments have been disabled in this blog. However, those who wish to post messages here may kindly mail them to : cartoonacademy@gmail.com )

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I was shocked by the news of sad demise of Cartoonist Kutty on Saturday US.
He was a doyen of the field of cartooning for many years. He rose to fame
with his witty cartoons in National Herald and Shankar's Weekly.
Kindly convey our deep sorrow and condolences to his famiy members.
The cartoonists of India will remember forever Mr. Kutty for his yeomen
service to the world of cartooning.

V.G.Narendra,
Managing Trustee,
Indian Institute of Cartoonists, Bangalore

- Abul Kalam Azad good bye dada .....

Francis Eravelil May his soul rest in peace.
Udayshankar Ganguly My deepest condolences....during my college days his cartoons inspired me a lot.... May his soul rest in peace.
Sukesh Prabhakar Shenoy RIP
Faisal Bava http://epathram.com/keralanews-2010/10/23/101836-cartoonist-kulapathi-kutty.html
Jagjeet Rana VERY-VERY SHOCKING...SAD NEWS... FOR ME ...AND 'CARTOONISTS CLUB OF INDIA'...!
Bimbadhar Mishra A very affectionate and ever helpful soul. Perhaps there's acute shortage of Cartoonist in God's own Heaven !
Triambak Sharma RIP...may his soul rest in peace..
Prakash Shetty A class cartoonist !Such a great cartoonist once told me 'Iam a fan of your caricatures. ' No head weight.One must see his book of cartoon collections to know Mr Kutty's lovely cartoons.
Raghupathi Sringeri RIP

Prof. SOMANATHAN CARTOON CONTEST !

2011-10-15T20:11:00.008+05:30

In connection with the 4th death anniversary of Prof. Somanathan, one of the great benefactors of the Kerala Cartoon Academy, an All Kerala Cartoon competition for Higher Secondary-College students has been announced by Cartoonist Somanathan Foundation. This year, the subject is അഴിമതി നിലവറ തുറക്കുമ്പോൾ (When the Cellar of Corruption is opened).

First and Second prizes carry cash awards of Rs.5,000/- and Rs.3,000/-, respectively along with citation, which will be distributed in the Comemmoration meeting to be held at Trivandrum on 13th December 2011.

Interested students may forward their entries done in black ink on A4 size Bond paper, attaching Certificate from School/College Authorities, so as to reach the following address by the 20th November 2011 :

Smt.Remadevi Somanathan,
Secretary,
Cartoonist Somanathan Foundation,
Sreehari, Sreenagar-32,
Kadappakkata,, Kollam-692008

For further clarifications, Sri D. Venugopal, President of the Foundation may be contacted on 9946108291 .

RUSH YOUR ENTRIES !
NOW, THE TIME IS RIPE,
WHEN HAZARE LOG PLAY THE PIPE !!

KUTTY CARTOONS EXHIBITION !

2011-10-01T04:27:00.000+05:30

caricature by Retheesh
An exhibition of Kutty's cartoons will be held
at the KSS School of Arts, Kotimatha, Kottayam
on the 5th November at 9.30 am
and a public meeting, held remembering Kutty
at 3.00 pm on the same day , at the same venue.

The latest issue of CARTOON JALAKAM and a new
BROCHURE detailing KCA's activities will be released at the function.

ALL ARE INVITED FOR A FULL DAY'S LAUGHTER,
RECOLLECTIONS AND LIVE CARTOONING :)

Since Mr. Kutty is now living in the USA he sent us this message on the occassion of the function

2011-09-05T11:26:00.008+05:30

I am extremely happy to acknowledge my gratitude to the Kerala Cartoon Academy for taking the initiative to organize this function to felicitate me on my 90^th birthday. Reaching 90 is,indeed, my greatestachievement.

In a way I am ‘luckier’ than some of my colleagues who had similar functions, as “ANUSMARANA”s.

On this occassion I remember with gratitude my Guru,the great Cartoonist "Shankar" to whom I owe a great deal.

The cartoon Academy has been able to attain an eminent place in the cultural life of Kerala. All the office holders of the organization deserve congratulations for their active participation in the activities organized by the Academy. The KCA program Coordinator Sudheernath specially should be congratulated for his tireless efforts to make the organization so active and effective. I do not want to mention names of the other cartoonists involved in that noble work-- to avoid the embarrassment of, later on, realizing that I had forgotten to mention someone.

It is very gratifying to know that The Academy, the Kerala Club and the Kerala House Information office remember me .

I have been keeping in contact with the Cartoon Academy ever since it was constituted .I participated twice in their programmes in Kerala. I was amazed to find so many cartoonists---all of them good--- gathered together under one roof.

I have the satisfaction to have served the Malayalee community of N. Delhi in many ways through the Kerala Club. Those days the club was the one reliable place in N.Delhi where Keralites could go for help when they needed it. We had a group of young men willing to do all they could to help others. Many of those companions of mine are no more. To those of them who are gone, and to the few still around ,I would take this opportunity to pay my homage. Following the Second World War and Indian Independence the Malayalee population in N. Delhi increased several fold and the pattern of life changed. Other organisations too came on the scene .

I am proud of the fact that I had a hand in establishing the first Kerala School in N. Delhi. I was a founding member and the first Secretary of the Kerala Education Society. I am happy to know that the school is doing well, and more Kerala Schools have come up in different areas of the city.

I had a long connection with the Kerala house. The Kerala School was situated during its first few years in the outhouse and grounds of the Old Cochin House, which had been renamed The Kerala House. I used to be at the school several times a week to do various chores connected with the running of the school. Kerala House always extended all help to the school. I am thankful to the management of the Kerala House for their association with this programme.

Years ago, when I came to N. Delhi in 1941, the place was a small town with all the good and bad features of Town and Country. Delhi had a special kind of culture--- the Mughal culture mixed with the British one. The various ethnic groups of people from the provinces became part of N. Delhi’s population after the city became the capital of the British Administrated country. That gave this above mentioned culture an additional dimension. However, by the time I left in 1997,N. Delhi had grown into an enormous soulless conglomeration of feuding people.

After I settled down in the USAI continued to keep in touch with Delhi through my dear friendMr.D.Vijayamohan Nair of theManorama. Vijayamohan had been of enormous help to me in tackling various problems I had to face after I left Delhi and sought permanent residence in the USA. In addition, he was my contact man withGURUVAYURAPPAN in Delhi.

I thank all of you individually for having had the affection towards me to assemble here to rememberme.

My wife, children, and their families also thank you for this fine gesture.

MAY GOD TAKE CARE OF YOU ALL

P K S Kutty

90 Years of our seniormost Cartoonist Kutty remembered!!!!

2011-09-02T23:11:00.010+05:30

KUTTY felicitations at Trivandrum, Kerala

The catchphrase 'KUTTIYKKAAY, KUTTIKALKKAAY' (' കുട്ടിക്കായ്, കുട്ടികൾക്കായ് ' ) wasPresannan's brainwave. Organisers of the Rotary Club, Trivandrum that was doing great service at the RCC Paediatric Ward for years was gracious enough to join our caricature freebooting.

Minister for Youth, Sports & Cinema, Shri Ganesh Kumar appeared dear to all the inmates and doctors there. Dr. Kusumakumari, Superintendent of the Wing and goddess to all of them can be seen all prayers.

KCA cartoonists Sathyadev, Karthika Kattanam, Anuraj, TG Jairaj ,Dileep Thiruvattar and Sajjive discuss the line of action just before the crowd breaks off for the actor-Minister.

The Minister joyfully flaunts his caricature like a child..

The only media man among the gathering apart from the newsmen, was Prof. Sreekumar, Deptt. of English, M.G. College who continues to be a great hit among the astrologically minded followers of Surya TV.

Autobiography of the hero.

KUTTY felicitation at Delhi

Cartoonist Kaak inaugrates the online exibition of Kutty's cartoons at New Delhi Kerala House on September 2nd. Omcherry N N Pillai, U K S Chauhan, Cartoonist Sudheer Nath, Unnikrishnan and
M K G Pillai also seen in this photo.

U K S Chauhan IAS- R.C Kerala House

Omcherry N N Pilai

D Vijayamohan

Cartoonist Kaak

M K G Pillai

Ajit Narayan

Sudheer Nath

Chandar

The DELHI PRESS says...
http://www.mathrubhumi.com/nri/pravasibharatham/newdelhi/article_212464/#

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=9993495&programId=1074439323&channelId=-1073753625&BV_ID=@@@&tabId=11

Grand celebration of 90th Birthday of our seniormost Cartoonist Kutty !!!!

2011-08-31T22:53:00.010+05:30

Kerala Cartoon Academy has immense pleasure to announce the celebration of the NAVATHI- 90^th Birthday of our only naogenarian brother in the KCA family, KUTTY in grandiose style both at the National Capital, Delhi where Kutty once flourished and at Trivandrum on the 2nd and 3rd of September 2011.

The Public Relations Department of the Govt. of Kerala and the Kerala Club, New Delhi also will be associating with the Kerala Cartoon Academy in the Delhi programme.

Formal inauguration of the NAVATHI CELIBRATION will be conducted at the Kerala House New Delhi, 6 PM on the 2nd September by Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi .S/Shri T V R Shenoy, Omchery N N Pillai, D Vijayamohan, U K S Chauhan will speak on the occasion.

KUTTYKKAAY KUTTIKALKAAY ( കുട്ടിക്കായ്, കുട്ടികൾക്കായ് )

Down south, at the same time, the Kerala Cartoon Academy will have formally dedicated to this living GRAND OLD MAN OF KERALA CARTOONING, KUTTY, the 1 day SPOT CARICATURING SHOW to be conducted for the kids in the Paediatric Ward at the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Trivandrum and their parents, grandparents and friends looking after them at the hospital . This programme will be part of the NAVATHY celebrations being planned to honour the Senior Member of KCA.

All are requested to Join either of the two centers at their convenience and make the occasion truly memorable for the kids at home and the big KUTTY, smiling at us from continents far away.