Poet Sugathakumari drew a cartoon, the first ever in her life, during the inauguration of cartoonist P V Krishnan's exhibition at the Vyloppilli Samskruthi Bhavan.
However, there was another first about the exhibition, that was even more surprising. P V Krishnan who started publishing his cartoons around 40 years ago, had never held a solo exhibition before. Cartoonist Sukumar said, "Perhaps he was waiting for me to hold my first ever exhibition."
Krishnan has been a photographer and has designed book covers. However, the exhibition was dedicated to his cartoons. There were 52 works divided into three categories - politics, environment and alcohol policy. He says, "Alcohol has been controlling our society. Everything from politics to the life of a common man is severely affected by alcohol."
Krishnan started publishing cartoons, while working as a designer at Directorate of Public Relations. Some of these works were political satires.
"The ministers would not say much, even if I made fun of them, as they were fond of me." However, he started focusing on politics, only after he retired.
The exhibition has one piece from 'Sakshi', a series which he would start working on during this time. "Sakshi' or witness was an idea proposed by N V Krishna Warrier, who has served as the editor of 'Kumkumam', "says Krishnan.
Every week, on the last page of 'Kumkumam', the 'Sakshi' man would appear with his pithy comments.
He is reminiscent of R K Laxman's 'The Common Man' series. The Sakshi piece displayed at the exhibition, has him peeping out of an edge of the cartoon, sure about people's loss, even as political representatives brag about a 100 % win.
Kunjunni Master, in a similar vein, has written a poem. "Eniykkundoru vote/ Ninakkundoru vote/ Namukkilloru nettam," he had said. The poem has been displayed with a caricature of the late poet.
A painting Krishnan made, a bird laying its egg on the stump of a cut tree, was displayed.
"This was an important work which Krishnan made during Silent Valley protests," said Sugathakumari at the inauguration. It was made into a poster titled 'Save environment for survival' in 1985. In the same year, the work was adjudged the best environment poster, by state government.
The exhibition does not cover all 40 years of his cartoonist life. However, it touches upon some of the recent developments like Modi's arrival and Mani's exit. It will be on till January 3.