The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Worth more than a thousand words

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Sunday, Mar 20, 2011
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Worth more than a thousand words

Staff Reporter

Surendra's cartoons are a sharp commentary on what is going on around us

Laugh Lines features some of his best work
Exhibition on at the Indian Cartoon Gallery till April 2

— PHOTO: K. MURALI KUMAR

CANDID COMMENT:The context and situation have to be imbued in political cartoons in a self-explanatory yet humorous way, says Surendra, whose exhibition is currently on in the city.

BANGALORE: “There is more to political cartoons than just drawing them. The context and situation have to be imbued in the cartoons in a self-explanatory yet humorous way,” said acclaimed cartoonist Surendra, who with his deft lines and firm strokes, has over the years been portraying the political scenario of the country in a satirical manner.

Surendra (P. Surendranath Reddy, actually) who has been drawing cartoons for The Hindu since 1996, was in the city on Saturday for the inauguration of Laugh Lines, an exhibition of his select cartoons and illustrations at the Indian Cartoon Gallery.

People's support

The cartoonist said it was an opportunity for him to meet his fans and critics. “Cartoonists need the support of people. The learned audience of today knows more about my cartoons than I do,” he said.

Laugh Lines, the 53rd exhibition to be held at the Indian Cartoon Gallery here, has some of Surendra's best works through the years: a caricature of forest brigand Veerappan, with his trademark moustache ending in nooses. One has a bunch of people hanging from it while the other is secured around Veerappan's own neck. Huge rats plundering food godowns even as hungry people wait outside the shuttered doors. Sonia Gandhi and Atal Behari Vajpayee playing chess by pulling out their pawns from inside bags titled ‘Allies'.

Lampoon target

The cartoonist's current favourite is the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, seen closing his ears to the loud sounds emanating from an s-shaped trumpet (depicting the spectrum scam) coiled around him.

Eyes that hear

The exhibition was inaugurated by G.M. Belagali, Commissioner of Income Tax, Karnataka.

In his address, Mr. Belagali quoted Shakespeare's “eyes hear and ears see” as an apt way to describe the way cartoonists work.

“Cartoonists view society and its dynamics differently and express it succinctly with wit, humour, imagination and sometimes sarcasm. They make people think and those [depicted] rethink their actions,” said Mr. Belagali.

The exhibition is open to the public till April 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except on Sundays. Entry is free.

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