KOCHI: When one takes a look at the small caricatures displayed at Durbar Hall Art Centre painted in orange, red and white colour, one feels tempted to go back to history text books to reread the history of peace legends and how they created a difference in the lives of people. Hassan Kotteparambil, a Kochi-based caricature artist has featured the caricatures of 25 peace legends in his ongoing exhibition. This artist says he was always interested in drawing cartoons and caricatures. “I was initially interested only in painting which is why I pursued a diploma in painting from RLV College of Arts Tripunithura,” said Hassan. He also said he has been working as an art teacher in Government Higher Secondary School, Pezhakkapilly and so he got interested in cartoon academy and started doing caricatures.
The exhibition ‘Peace Legends’ is featured to celebrate the people who stood for World Peace right from the Father of our Nation Mahatma Gandhi to Mother Teresa, the woman who dedicated her life for the upliftment of the poor people in the society. “It took me one week to do these caricatures. I always stick to titles and do a series of caricatures based on it,” said Hassan. Be it Mother Teresa or Rabindranath Tagore, the artist has been careful in detailing thesehe peace legends is highly appeciable. The caricature of Mother Theresa holding a small boy on one hand and the other where she is holding a rosary has brought out the creativity of the artist. The caricature of each of the legends propound peace. Other caricatures of famous legends like Buddha, Nelson Mandela, Swami Vivekananda have also been displayed.
Hassan uses water colours, pen and Fugi to give a more attractive look to his caricatures. The proceeds he receives from selling his works is always used for charity purpose. The artist intends to do the same with the money he gets from the sale of the caricatures that have been displayed in this exhibition. “ The proceeds from the sale of the caricatures is intended to help a student, from the school I teach in, with cancer,” said Hassan.
The artist has conducted several exhibitions on cartoons for kids, demonstrations in schools and caricature shows for charity. Besides doing caricatures, this artist is also an expert in painting, logo designing and photography. He has received prestigious awards including JNNMSEE National Science Logo award, Best Art Teacher award 2017 and the State School Kalotsavam Logo Design Award for the year 2005-2006. He has also done a documentary film on the life of artist Namboodiri titled ‘ Prisoner of Illustrations’. On October 2, he will conduct another exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi.