The second cartoon directory prepared by the Kerala Cartoon Academy was unveiled at the Press Club here on Monday. Cartoonist Yesudasan released the directory which was received by former Cartoon Academy chairman Sukumar.
According to academy president Aravindan, the directory is a revised version of the former edition wherein the history and the cartoons of 155 cartoonists in the state have been compiled into a single work. The book has also included the biographies and cartoons of 36 cartoonists who have passed away.
In his inaugural address, Cartoonist Yesudasan pointed out the need to cultivate talented cartoonists in contemporary society.
“The number of cartoonists is growing in numbers. However, there are many who don’t know how to draw and hence it is important to hold more number of camps to develop their skills. In today’s cartoons, the characters that are sketched do not have resemblance of the person that is represented on paper,” he said.
He also stated that the quality of print has come down drastically.
Meanwhile, he called for the need to preserve the museum set up in honour of legendary cartoonist Sankar at Kayamkulam. “The museum was built at a cost of `3 crore. The government should take up the responsibility to ensure that it does not become a haven of anti-social elements,” he said.
Cartoonist Sukumar said that cartoonists need to develop their own identity and not be influenced by the identity of the news media.
“What is seen lacking in today’s cartoons is strength and voice.Cartoonists should be like politicians. They should know the issues and provide solutions through their brush.A cartoon will become eternal only if it is a lesson or a hard-hitting truth. Cartoon is a visual art and the cartoonist should have the capacity to draw strokes in a flow,” he said.
Cartoonists Arun , Academy secretary M S Mohana Chandra were also present at the function.