As a part of the seventeenth anniversary celebrations of the Indian Cartoon Gallery, the Indian Institute of Cartoonists (IIC) is presenting the Bartons Lifetime Achievement Award to eminent cartoonist Keshav V on July 6. They’re is also organising a 15-day retrospective of his works.
Bengaluru-born Keshav Venkataraghavan, who was the editorial cartoonist for The Hindu for greater than three many years till 2019, studied in Hyderabad and accomplished his M.Com from Madras College. Attracted to each type of artwork since childhood, Keshav channelled his ardour right into a profession by sketching individuals stay at music live shows for Ananda Vikatan, a Tamil weekly in Chennai.
Keshav is now making an attempt to protect his creations for posterity. “The quantity to be archived is frightening, however there’s a semblance of a system within the midst of all this chaos. I hope to make it higher,” he laughs.
Cartoonist Keshav. Photograph: Particular Association
A person of few phrases, it takes some coaxing to get Keshav to narrate a few of the most memorable moments of his profession. “I thought-about optimistic and adverse reactions from the well-known in politics and music to be an encouragement. In public locations, my sketchbook would typically be doing the rounds. Minister Jaswant Singh had twice requested me for the unique of my caricatures of him, as did the then-Chief Election Commissioner KPS Gill. Arun Shourie too, had additionally collected just a few of my works.”
Okayeshav speaks on his craft and the way he developed a signature type. Excerpts:
What had been a few of the earliest influences that made you’re taking to artwork?
I used to attract from childhood. My drawing grasp BA Reddy at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Golconda, Hyderabad, would encourage me by sending me for portray competitions. I can be fascinated by the artwork protection within the Illustrated Weekly. Whereas I loved the oil work and marble sculptures at Salarjung Museum, my inventive sensibilities solely grew after observing Raja Ravi Varma’s work on the Jayachamarajendra Artwork Gallery in Mysore.
One in all cartoonist Keshav’s creations
I nonetheless keep in mind the primary time I noticed S Rajam’s collection of watercolours within the copy of The Ramayana my father used to learn. That set me on a path I knew needed to take. Rajam launched me to Indian artwork, delving into its treasure of story telling with its Itihasas and Puranas.
You at all times say appreciating artwork lies in understanding a bigger gamut of inventive types
Artwork is a visible thrill in kind and color, whether or not it’s a portray, sculpture, pottery, ceramics, dance, structure or folks artwork. Every thing the attention can see turns into lovely and is a part of nature. In Vishnudharmottara Purana, the earliest complete work on the idea and practise of temple structure, portray and picture creation in historical India, the chapter Chitra Sutra elaborates on how an artist ought to be conversant with the allied arts of music, dance, sculpture, structure and the like. This profound sensibility helped unfold my curiosity to the whole lot I noticed. Statement was the important thing.
Inform us of the journey to growing your type
My coaching in cartoons got here throughout my stint at Ananda Vikatan once I was a freelancer. I used to be lucky {that a} small pattern of my illustrations was picked up by the editor at the moment, TS Sridhar, a cartoonist, author and playwright. He uncovered me to the world of cartooning and gave me a sketchpad and season ticket to the Music Academy (and different venues) to sketch stay from observing.
One in all cartoonist Keshav’s creations
He taught me about drawing and sketching of various sorts — together with humour. He would communicate extremely of cartoonists comparable to David Low and others like Ronald Searle, Paul Conrad, Herblock, Pat Oliphant and John Macnelly. I started straight sketching at public locations — road corners, bus stands, the Parliament, press conferences, cricket matches and live performance venues, they proved to be nice follow periods. I sketched the Madras Music Season for about 16 years.
After Sridhar retired, main cartoonist Madhan schooled me within the nuances and use of metaphors, visible phrases and slapstick humour. I used to be steadily launched to Punch, Mad and different cartoon journals. I joined The Hindu in 1987, and took on editorial cartooning. Initially, I used to be lucky to work beneath editor G Kasturi whose lucid steerage got here by means of with a minimal phrases. Later, EP Unny helped me perceive the intricacies of politics.
What do you consider the evolution of cartooning?
I really feel cartooning ought to have remained as black and white sketches. There was a lot one may say with the composition — using black and empty house. Color illustrations could have developed with the instances, however they don’t have the identical impression. Nonetheless, there are some cartoonists comparable to Michael Ramirez who excel in drawing in color, too.
1One of cartoonist Keshav’s creations
Cartoons have developed with the arrival of the social media; one has to adapt to the altering situation. Nonetheless, I imagine the current era will not be too concerned about editorial cartooning. It entails a number of studying, understanding points and spending hours to execute them. Right now, those that can draw properly and are conversant with the current digital instruments desire animation.
Do you’re employed to music?
After I compose a sketch in pencil or brush, it is at all times in silence. I exploit music solely once I start the colouring work — it helps me immerse myself into its intricacies.
Your recommendation to artwork college students?
I’d counsel children draw from life. Hold sketching. Observe. Learn books and simply go on practising. Studying by no means stops. Be conversant with historical past. By no means lose your sense of humour. As a cartoonist one could have to be irreverent, however be like RK Laxman who would insist on a “dignified irreverence.”
The Indian Cartoon Gallery will host the award presentation on July 6 at 11am. The retrospective on Keshav’s work shall be on at Indian Cartoon Gallery from July 6 until 20. Name 99800 91428 for particulars
One in all cartoonist Keshav’s creations
Cartoonist Keshav. Photograph: Particular Association
One in all cartoonist Keshav’s creations
