T h e  E x h i b i t i o n   o f   I n d i a n   C a r t o o n i s t s   i n   G e r m a n y

 

At the inauguration function you will see Mrs & Mr Ashok kumar,India's Consul General in Frankfurt and the chief guest, with Karoline Schade and Mr. Suresh Sawant.
	Karoline Schade - The Chief Organiser - is the main person who took lots of efforts to organise the exhibition, for over a year, without aiming for any financial benefits whatsoever. She and her family did it just out of pure love for India, and their genuine interest in Indian cartoonists and their works.

Is it a dream That Indian Cartoonists Can Hope For Their Best Prospects

- Suresh Sawant

It is a great event – The Exhibition of Indian Cartoonists in Germany! All Indians and particularly Indian cartoonists, should be very proud of it for the unprecedented great honour and international exposure they will be getting through this month long exhibition of Indian cartoons - appropriately organised to coincide with the famous International Book Fair in Frankfurt-am-Main where India is the Guest of Honour this year! Millions of thanks would be less for us Indian cartoonists to express our appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Kai Schade who originally conceived the idea about the exhibition a year ago and to his wife Sussane and daughter Karoline who along with him have been working tirelessly since then to make it possible. Genuine love for and deep interest in India and great admiration of Indian cartoonists and their creative works are the only real motives of Schade family behind creating this memorable and marvellous exhibition. What is highly admirable is that without any substantial financial or other assistance from any big sources either from Germany or India, Shades devotedly worked till the last moment to make this project a magnificent reality.
 

Mr Kai Schade ,the former editor and Mr.Konard Melchers the present editor of
Entwicklungepolitik. Suresh Savant sandwiched in between the two giants.
 

Some exhibitions of Indian cartoonists were organised earlier also in different parts of the world. Those exhibitions though certainly not insignificant, but were presented comparatively on smaller scales. Very few cartoons from India were exhibited, and exposure too was not big. I have heard of such exhibitions held - like during the Festival of Indian Culture in Switzerland in 1987, exhibition in the USA in 1997 and in the UK in 2004. Similar other exhibitions too were organised elsewhere to display works of a single Indian cartoonist or a small group of Indian artists - most of them as a part of main events of the Festivals of Indian Culture at different places abroad. Enquiries at libraries and with other sources do not confirm whether any collections or albums were brought out on those occasions.

In India there have not been any major or exclusive exhibitions of political or other cartoons organised on larger scale so far, or many periodical competitions arranged except for some highly praiseworthy efforts by Hindustan Times, and now far last few years by Cartoonists Forum from Andhra Pradesh based in Hyderabad. Mr. Shyammohan a well-known cartoonist from Hyderabad has started organising international cartoon competitions annually for last three years. He has managed them well and the response is good. The details are displayed at the website he has created www.indianink.org Yet another praiseworthy, gallant and unique effort by Mr.Shankar Kumar alias Sanku deserves to be commanded by all. In 2002 he produced and directed 13 documentaries on leading Indian cartoonists. This excellent serial “Eminent cartoonists of India” conceived, scripted and directed by Mr.Sanku and produced for Door Darshan (India govt’s TV channel) has brought many laurels to India from various international festivals wherever it has been shown. A unique and perhaps the first ever initiative of its kind in the world to show respect and encourage cartoonists really!

Cartoonists from Hyderabad are very active and have been arranging seminars, competitions, exhibitions, publishing albums and felicitating cartoonists. All these activities are vigourousely pursued by them since 1999. It is something nice happening to cartoonists in India, though these are only recent developments.

Indian cartoonists came into existence during the last phase of 150 years of British rule over India. Only after India became independent in 1947, real boost to Indian journalists’ and cartoonists’ creativity was provided by fresh atmosphere of freedom and spirit of nationalism. Initially most of the India cartoonists were influenced by the British cartoonists. The most prominent among the first generation of Indian cartoonists was Mr.Shankar Pillai. He had his own cartoon weekly called Shankar’s Weekly.This periodical and Mr.Shankar’s cartoons became very popular. Many of the next generation cartoonists, who became well known afterwards, started their careers in Shankar’s Weekly. Unfortunately this periodical lost its popularity and had to be closed down during the old age days of Mr.Shankar. It is a sad reflection of Indian people’s attitude towards cartoonists and their works. At present there are some periodicals still brought out on cartoons. “Marmik” weekly from Mumbai is one which was started by famous veteran dashing cartoonist and prominent political leader Mr. Bal Thackeray. It is published in Marathi – the local language, for which Mr.Thackeray drew many intelligent and beautiful cartoons for few years. Cho from south India is another cartoonist whose cartoon periodical in Tamil - another vernacular language - is also mentioned as a classic one. Cartoon Watch in Hindi is a monthly which is published for last 10 years by Mr.Triambak Sharma a cartoonist from Raipur.

India in size is a ‘subcontinent’; it has many languages and different cultures. Because of these factors, activities and achievements by cartoonists from areas of India’s one corner remain unheard of in other corners. This is the reason why even an existence of good periodical on cartoons may have remained unknown to others. Cartoonists in Delhi or Chennai are not aware of what their counterparts in Mumbai or Bangalore are doing, and vice versa.

Yet another strange thing happening to Indian cartoonist in general is - his image in general public mostly remains like that of a “joker” from a circus; however intelligent and creative cartoons he may be creating. In real life also, cartoonists here live like a joker - making everybody around him laugh at the expense of his own sufferings and pains.

Unfortunately the overall situation of cartoonists in India is pathetic. Only a few, say all together 20 to 30 cartoonists, in a country of millions of people are living a high standard of life. Interestingly, all these well known eminent cartoonists like R.K Laxman, Mario, Unny etc. who are financially and socially well placed are associated as cartoonists with leading top class English language newspapers in main cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai etc. Most of the other cartoonists working with second grade/vernacular press, as full timers or free lancers are not well paid and do not get same recognition like those from major English periodicals, though many of them are really as good or even better in their creative output. The fault here again is of the biased attitude of public in general, and that of the owners and editors of these periodicals in particular. The owners of regional papers have their own interests linked to business houses, political parties or government authorities. The advertisements from government departments is assured and important source of income. As such most of them do not want to hurt these ‘sources’ and accordingly dictate their ‘safe’ policies to the editors and other editorial staff.The cartoonists are asked to draw cartoons which would suite their ‘safe’ policies. Some editors even compel their cartoonist to imitate blindly and follow the style of immensely popular and globally famous Indian cartoonist Mr.R.K.Laxman. Mr. Laxman is a great and internationally acclaimed Indian cartoonist. Right from the President of India to a common citizen her admire and love him. He is a shining star and we are proud of him. But merely copying his ideas and drawing style won’t help others to come up in life. The funny part of it is that the editors would not pay their own cartoonists even one hundredth of remuneration Mr.Laxman gets.

Periodicals are the launching pads for budding cartoonists to become known to outside world. But it is sad that here majority of magazines (and particularly vernacular ones), want to use cartoons as ‘fillers’ - something to occupy the vacant spaces left over after adjusting composed matters and ads on pages. This is very discouraging for a young or talented cartoonist to find openings for their careers. Now the situation is still worse, as after the arrival of electronic media like TV and internet, printed magazines have been closing down very fast one after another. The habit of reading itself is vanishing all over the world. The tastes and preferences of readers have drastically changed. The surviving periodicals and even highly reputed leading newspapers are giving more prominent coverage to entertainment, films, fashion, glamour and sex to keep the sales up. In these circumstances where is the space and scope for a cartoonist to present his intelligent and creative ideas? No one is interested in and no one is bothered about cartoonist’s plight. Cartoonists are thus left worried and frustrated, on the pavements outside publishing houses. Perhaps this may be the worldwide situation too.

Another bitter truth is that the cartoonists in India,either in past when publishing business was in boom or now when it is in bad shape, have always remained underpaid (or even unpaid), unsecured and demoralised. That is why many cartoonists in India do some other jobs to earn for their survival and do cartooning as a hobby or a part time job. The disgusting fact is that sometime even a carpenter, a factory worker or an electrician gets more rate of payment than those who draw cartoons. In such a depressing background, how can a person with high aptitude, brilliant I.Q. and intelligent sense to create humour, will dare to enter this profession to become a political cartoonist? There are some who take risk and dive. But again, only a few among them survive and become successful. Others sink down very badly. No wonder then that the current trend among the fresh aspirants is to go for safe careers in animation field. If no fame and satisfaction of implementing innovative ideas practically, one at least gets respectable and assured pay packets at the end of every month.

Another factor, which has blocked the progress of Indian cartoonists, is the rampant use of American syndicated cartoon strips and cartoons by leading English dailies and some of the top vernacular periodicals. They regularly publish American cartoons and comic features like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Peanuts, Archie, The Phantom, Tarzan, and Garfield etc. American syndicates like King Features Syndicate etc readily and easily supply these cartoon features in single or in strip form in large quantities. Of course, these cartoons are good and popular, but how much are they relevant to Indian society and its culture? One finds real ‘comical’ situation like when in the month of May when the summer is hottest in India - Indian newspapers carry American ‘winter’ special strips showing cartoon characters wrapped in their thickest woollen clothes having layers and layers of snow around them. Wouldn’t it have been appropriate if an Indian cartoon strip presenting funny summer situations with heavily sweating and bare bodied Indian characters was offered to Indian readers? But it is not happening, because even the minimum amount of money Indian cartoonist would expect for his work is found ‘too much’ by the editors as American cartoons they get are available for peanuts (at the payment of 1/20th of what Indian cartoonists demand). A few bold steps by enterprising Indians like Mr. Anant Pai and Mr.Subba Rao were taken to start Indian syndicates - but have not achieved remarkable success, due to large financial investments as well as inferior quality of humour they offered compared to globally popular American strips.
Indian cartoonists are also not much exposed to international cartoon activities. Till recently most of them were not aware that there existed international cartoon magazines, international cartoon contests or syndicates through which they can display their talents and get name, fame and money.

It is again Mr.Kai Schade who should be credited for giving major push to Indian cartoonists to reach the international levels. His interest in Indian cartoonists and his positive support to explore and present their works to the world, mainly through epd-Entwicklungspolitik - the German magazine of which he was the Editor-in-chief till recently, opened new avenues to Indian cartoonists beyond their national borders. He took initiative to find out and contact Indian cartoonists, to invite them to send their cartoons to him. Often he even suggested themes, provided guidance and direction, encouraged their creative urge and published their works for the readers in Europe. This had rarely happened to Indian cartoonists before. Best of Indian cartoonists’ creative works had remained unseen by international media and their global audiences till then. Another interesting move by Mr.Kai Schade was in 1999 when he planned the first ever seminar of India cartoonists in Bangalore to exchange their views with the representatives of epd-Entwicklungspolitik. This was most memorable, useful and highly educative meeting for participating cartoonists. It motivated them to go ahead and form the Indian Institute of Cartoonists - the national organisation to bring cartoonists from different parts of India under one roof. It should be highly appreciated that even now after his retirement and in spite of his advanced age Mr.Kai Schade has still continued with the same enthusiasm and noble motives, to encourage and help Indian cartoonists in all possible ways. Thankfully even Dr.Konard Melchers – the former associate of Mr.Kai Schade and present editor of eins-Entwicklungspolitik (formerly called epd –Entwicklungspolitik) too has continued to encourage Indian cartoonists by publishing their works.

The most important and valuable privilege Indian cartoonists enjoy is the freedom of expression they get in Indian democracy. There are absolutely no controls or threats from government. This has created healthy, free, frank and fearless atmosphere for Indian cartoonists to work in. Creditably Indian cartoonists are also not taking undue advantage of this freedom and do not criticise too much or draw vulgar or personally insulting cartoons. Indian democracy, attitude of governments and fellow learned citizens must be praised for it. If one peeps into what is happening in other countries this factor stands out magnificently. Many a developing countries, even having democracies do not seem to tolerate cartoonists criticising their governments, leaders and policies. In nations like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, Turkey and the UK, cartoonists have been jailed, tortured and murdered even for unharmful simple cartoons. Fortunately, democratic India though poor, is much more matured and tolerant.

It is a dream that once the economic situation is improved and people become more educated and more cultured, cartoonists can hope for their best prospects. Cartoonist is a need of the society. Cartoonists are badly needed to give relief to majority of people who most of the time, live in a highly tense and explosive social atmosphere. Cartoonists are gifted with natural talents to bring the smiles on the millions of suffering faces instantly. After all-‘A Cartoon A Day Keeps Cardiologist Away’.

Yes as a dream it is really fantastic! But the reality is – what is the use if the atmosphere is free and the brain is full of ideas – when the pockets are empty? Unless financial stability is assured no one would like to become a full time cartoonist however talented he may be. As no hopes seem to be rising on the horizon for aspiring cartoonists at least in near future, neither can they smile nor can others!

One would notice after visiting this unique exhibition that Mr. Kai Shade’s gracious daughter Karoline too is equally interested and fully involved in the mission undertaken by her father, and she is carrying it forward to greater success. Her careful research, meticulous planning, cooperative attitude and understanding nature are the factors which have mainly contributed in having this wonderful collection of Indian cartoonists’ creations presented before you. It is really a historic and monumental exhibition - where works of India’s past and present as well as veteran and newcomer cartoonists representing different parts of India are first time displayed at a single venue. This exhibition is going to remain forever as a major and important milestone in the history of Indian cartooning.

I once again on behalf of all Indian cartoonists profusely thank Shade family and all those who offered their services, time and finances to organise this grand exhibition and for the excellent opportunity and immense happiness given to us to present our cartoons to international viewers in such a beautiful way.

The sapling of ‘Indo-German friendship through cartoons’ planted and nurtured by Mr. Kai Shade is growing beautifully. In future as this tree grows higher and wider, I am sure we all and many more, will get lots of opportunities to come under its cool shadow and smile together forever and ever!

(This article was specially written by Suresh Sawant for the Catalogue brought out on the occasion of Indian Cartoonists’ Exhibition – Indien Im Blick (India At Glance) – held in Frankfurt am Main, Germany – between 15 September and 18 October 2006)