Manjul says it all between crooked lines

DNA cartoonist Manjul was on Friday awarded the Maya Kamath Memorial Award. Taking a taxi in the city after landing from Mumbai to collect the award, Manjul started a conversation with the cab driver. “So, what is the city famous for?” Manjul asked. “Traffic jams,” came the prompt reply. The cartoonist felt quite outdone.

Manjul began his first experiments with political sketches when he was only 16. His early cartoons were published by a local newspaper in his home state, Uttar Pradesh. Looking back, Manjul says that he found cartoons an appropriate medium for the expression of his own unique political commentary.

His grandparents were among the first to notice his talent, and it was their confidence in him that encouraged him to pursue a career as a cartoonist, Manjul says. The self-taught cartoonist studied science in junior college. He graduated with a degree in Economics and Political Science. Armed with these basic tools and raw talent, he plunged into cartooning full-time.

After 20 years in the field, Manjul is now a recognised figure, counted among the best cartoonists in the country. Winning the Maya Kamath Memorial Award, instituted two years ago in honour of one of India’s finest women cartoonists who died at age 50 in 2001, Manjul feels grateful and honoured. On the jury of the competition, organised by the Indian Institute of Cartoonists, were eminent playwright and Jnanpith Award winner Girish Karnad, artist SG Vasudev and cartoonist Keshav.

The competition saw 148 entries from across the country, and some from elsewhere in the subcontinent. While Manjul emerged in top slot, Mohammad Zahoor of The Daily Times, Pakistan, won the second place, and Prashant Kulkarni of Loksatta, Mumbai won the third. Rebecca Tailor, a Bangalore-based cartoonist, won special mention as the ‘best budding cartoonist’.

The cartoon could be a powerful means of communication, Manjul says. It is possible to reach people of different ages, and convey insights in just one flash. However, it assumes a sense of humour on the part of the audience. Just sometimes, that might be assuming too much. Manjul says that he has received threats from politicians offended to the point of wrath by his political commentary. “The job comes with some risks,” he shrugs.

“The day begins with pouring over newspapers. Through the day, there is much twisting and turning of matters in the head, as one settles on what the subject of one’s cartoon will be. Once I’ve settled on how to present it, though, the drawing is easy,” says Manjul, recalling the words of Abu Abraham: “A cartoonist is a liar who always speaks the truth.”