As a part of the 17th anniversary celebrations of the Indian Cartoon Gallery, the Indian Institute of Cartoonists (IIC) is conferring the Bartons Lifetime Achievement Award to eminent cartoonist Keshav V on July 6. They are also organising a 15-day retrospective on his works.
Bengaluru-born Keshav Venkataraghavan, who was an editorial cartoonist Hindu Studied in Hyderabad for over three decades until 2019 and completed M.Com from Madras University. Attracted to every form of art since childhood, Keshav turned his passion into a career by making live sketches of people at concerts. Ananda VikatanA Chennai-based Tamil weekly.
Keshav is now trying to preserve his works for posterity. “It is scary to have this volume archived, but there is a semblance of order amid all this chaos. I hope I can make it better,” he laughs.
Cartoonist Keshav. Photo: Special arrangement
Keshav is a man of few words, so he needs to be coaxed to share some of the memorable moments of his career. “I found the positive and negative feedback from eminent personalities in politics and the music world encouraging. My sketchbook was often seen floating around in public places. Minister Jaswant Singh twice asked me for originals of cartoons I had drawn, as did the then chief election commissioner KPS Gill. Arun Shourie too collected some of my works.”
KEshav talks about his art and how he developed his distinctive style. Excerpts:
What were the early influences that attracted you to art?
I used to paint since childhood. My drawing master BA Reddy at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Golconda, Hyderabad, used to encourage me by sending me to painting competitions. I used to be very impressed by art coverage. The Illustrated Weekly.While I enjoyed the oil paintings and marble sculptures at the Salarjung Museum, my artistic sensibilities were further heightened after seeing the work of Raja Ravi Varma at the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery in Mysore.
A creation of cartoonist Keshav
I still remember the first time I saw S. Rajam’s series of oil paintings. Ramayana My father used to read. This set me on the path I was meant to follow. Rajam introduced me to Indian art, delving deep into the treasures of its storytelling art History And Puranas,
You always say that appreciation of art lies in understanding the wide range of artistic forms.
Art is a visual thrill in form and colour, whether it is painting, sculpture, pottery, ceramics, dance, architecture or folk art. Everything the eye can see becomes beautiful and becomes a part of nature. Vishnudharmottara Purana, The earliest comprehensive work on the theory and practice of temple architecture, painting and image making in ancient India, the chapter Chitra Sutra elaborates on how an artist should be familiar with music, dance, sculpture, architecture and similar allied arts. This keen sensibility helped spread my interest to everything I saw. Observation was the key.
Tell us about your journey of developing your style
My training in cartoons came during my tenure Ananda Vikatan When I was a freelancer, I was lucky that a small sample of my drawings were picked up by the editor of the time, TS Sridhar, a cartoonist, writer and playwright. He introduced me to the world of cartooning and gave me a sketchpad and a season ticket to the Music Academy (and other places) so that I could sketch live from observation.
A creation of cartoonist Keshav
He taught me different kinds of drawing and sketching – including humour. He greatly admired cartoonists like David Low and others like Ronald Searle, Paul Conrad, Herblock, Pat Oliphant and John McNally. I started sketching directly in public places – street corners, bus stands, Parliament, press conferences, cricket matches and concert venues, they proved to be excellent practice sessions. I sketched the Madras music season for about 16 years.
After Sridhar retired, noted cartoonist Madhan taught me the nuances and use of metaphors, visual phrases and caricature. Punch, crazy and other cartoon magazines. I joined Hindu in 1987, and took up editorial cartooning. Initially, I had the good fortune of working under editor G Kasturi, whose clear guidance came across in the minutest of words. Later, EP Unni helped me understand the intricacies of politics.
What do you think about the evolution of cartooning?
I think cartooning should have remained as black and white drawings. There is a lot to be said with the composition – the use of black and empty space. Colour illustrations may have evolved over time, but they don’t have the same impact. However, there are some cartoonists like Michael Ramirez who are adept at creating colour illustrations as well.
1One of the works of cartoonist Keshav
Cartoons have evolved with the advent of social media; one has to keep pace with the changing scenario. However, I believe the current generation is not too interested in editorial cartooning. It involves reading a lot, understanding the issues and spending hours executing them. Today, people who can draw well and are familiar with current digital tools prefer animation.
Do you work while listening to music?
When I sketch with a pencil or brush, it is always in silence. I use music only when I start painting – it helps me immerse myself in its complexities.
Your advice to art students?
I would suggest youngsters to draw from life. Keep sketching. Observe. Read books and keep practising. Learning never stops. Be familiar with history. Never lose your sense of humour. As a cartoonist you may have to be irreverent, but be like RK Laxman who insisted on being “dignifiedly irreverent”.
The Indian Cartoon Gallery will hold the prize distribution ceremony on July 6 at 11 am. A retrospective presentation of Keshav’s work will be held at the Indian Cartoon Gallery from July 6 to July 20. For more information, call 99800 91428
A creation of cartoonist Keshav
Cartoonist Keshav. Photo: Special arrangement
A creation of cartoonist Keshav
