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Catching life in a few strokes of the pen

At first glance the small figures and accompanying jottings fail to impress. But on a closer scrutiny, they set the viewer thinking on the mad rat race that life has become.

Australia-based cartoonist Michael Leunig’s depictions are a commentary of the facts and foibles of modern-day life. Sarcasm and humour blend in them to give life to the depictions.

The exhibition of Leunig’s cartoons at the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi Art Gallery here is an added attraction to the Surasu Drama Festival this year.

While some of the cartoons are forthright like the series on the march to human individuality, there are others that make the viewer ponder over the sentiment sought to be conveyed by the cartoonist.

In the ‘individuality’ series, Leunig takes an evolutionary journey from the first stage of human togetherness, leading to privacy, individuality and ultimately the loneliness of the grave.

Other depictions that get noticed include a set of seven drawings on globalistion and the one that says ‘We are all lying in the gutter, but some of us are looking at stars,’ and a thought-provoking one on ‘The first day in school.’

The exhibition will conclude on Tuesday.

Maleeha Raghaviah

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