Tributes to the Masters of Cartooning

The ITO area in Delhi was once the heart of the newspaper world, and it remains my favorite place of learning. It was where I spent hours meeting giants like Sudhir Dar, Rajendra, Irfan, and Shekhar Gurera. Seeing their editorial cartoons in publications like Jansatta or Navbharat Times defined my early career. They were more than colleagues; they were the architects of visual satire in India. Kaak Sahab, with his signature kurta-pajama and paan, wasn't just a master of the pen; he was a mentor who taught us to fight for the respect our profession deserves.

When I look back at my early caricatures, like the one I drew of Pritish Nandy during the rise of satellite TV, I see the evolution of the industry—from the print era to the digital age. I have spent over 30 years in this space, and I have seen how the medium has changed. Today, as I move from college workshops to judging national competitions, my mission is to keep that spirit of integrity alive.

I do not just teach students anatomy or how to use digital brushes; I teach them about the voice a cartoonist must have. If you are an art student, an institution, or an event organizer looking to bring that same dedication to your platform, let’s connect. Whether it is a guest lecture on the realities of the media industry or a hands-on digital caricature workshop, I bring the same focus and direct guidance that my mentors gave me.