As the Indian Cartoon Gallery celebrates its 17th anniversary, the Indian Institute of Cartoonists (IIC) is set to honour one of India’s most celebrated cartoonists, Keshav V, with the Bartons Lifetime Achievement Award. The award presentation, scheduled for July 6, will also be accompanied by a 15-day retrospective of Keshav’s works, showcasing his prolific and illustrious career.
Keshav Venkataraghavan, hailing from Bengaluru, is a revered figure in the world of editorial cartooning. His remarkable career spans over three decades, during which he was the editorial cartoonist for The Hindu until 2019. Keshav completed his M.Com from Madras University after studying in Hyderabad, and his passion for art was evident from a young age. Channeling this passion, he began sketching live during music concerts for Ananda Vikatan, a prominent Tamil weekly based in Chennai.
Currently, Keshav is dedicated to preserving his extensive body of work. “The volume to be archived is overwhelming, but there is some kind of system amid all this chaos. I hope to make it better,” he chuckles.
One of the striking characteristics of Keshav is his humility and modesty. Getting him to talk about the memorable moments of his career takes some encouragement. “Positive and negative reactions from renowned figures in politics and music have always spurred me on. My sketchbook often made its rounds in public spaces. Minister Jaswant Singh had twice asked me for the original of my caricatures of him, as did the then-Chief Election Commissioner KPS Gill. Arun Shourie also collected a few of my works.”
Keshav speaks passionately about his craft and the evolution of his unique style. “I have been drawing since childhood. My drawing master, B.A. Reddy, at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Golconda, Hyderabad, would always encourage me by sending me to painting competitions. I was fascinated by art coverage in the Illustrated Weekly and admired the oil paintings and marble sculptures at the Salar Jung Museum. My artistic sensibilities truly flourished after observing Raja Ravi Varma’s work at the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery in Mysore.”
Keshav’s inspiration also stemmed from the first time he saw S. Rajam’s oil paintings in a copy of The Ramayana that his father used to read. This encounter set him on a path that would define his career. Rajam’s work introduced Keshav to Indian art and its rich storytelling heritage, encompassing the Itihasas and Puranas.
For Keshav, art encompasses a visual thrill in form and colour, whether it be paintings, sculptures, pottery, ceramics, dance, architecture, or folk art. “Everything the eye can see becomes beautiful and part of nature,” he remarks. His deep appreciation for various art forms aligns with the teachings of the Vishnudharmottara Purana, particularly the Chitra Sutra chapter, which discusses the importance of an artist’s familiarity with allied arts.
Keshav’s journey in cartooning began during his tenure with Ananda Vikatan as a freelancer. His introduction to the world of cartooning came when the then-editor T.S.
. Sridhar, himself a cartoonist, writer, and playwright, noticed a sample of Keshav’s illustrations. Sridhar provided Keshav with a sketchpad and a season ticket to the Music Academy and other venues to sketch live performances, thus honing his skills.
Sridhar also imparted invaluable lessons on drawing various subjects, including humour. He introduced Keshav to the works of iconic cartoonists such as David Low, Ronald Searle, Paul Conrad, Herblock, Pat Oliphant, and John Macnelly. Keshav’s practice of sketching in public places—street corners, bus stands, Parliament, press conferences, cricket matches, and concert venues—further sharpened his skills. For about 16 years, he sketched extensively during the Madras Music Season.
After Sridhar’s retirement, another leading cartoonist, Madhan, guided Keshav through the nuances of using metaphors, visual phrases, and slapstick humour. He was gradually introduced to esteemed cartoon journals like Punch and Mad. In 1987, Keshav joined The Hindu as an editorial cartoonist. Under the mentorship of editor G. Kasturi and later E.P. Unny, Keshav developed a deep understanding of political intricacies and refined his cartooning style.
Reflecting on the evolution of cartoons, Keshav acknowledges the shift from black and white sketches to coloured illustrations, though he still believes in the potency of the former. “There was so much one could say with the composition—the use of black and empty space. While colour illustrations have evolved, they do not have the same impact, though some cartoonists like Michael Ramirez excel in drawing in colour.”
Keshav also discusses the impact of social media on cartoons, noting that contemporary cartoonists must adapt to the changing landscape. He believes that the current generation is less interested in editorial cartooning, which demands extensive reading, understanding of issues, and hours of execution. In contrast, those skilled in drawing and familiar with digital tools often gravitate towards animation.
Keshav shares a personal detail about his creative process: “When I compose a sketch in pencil or brush, it is always in silence. I use music only when I begin the colouring work—it helps me immerse myself into its intricacies.”
For aspiring cartoonists, Keshav offers invaluable advice: “Draw from life. Keep sketching. Observe. Read books and practice continually. Learning never stops. Be conversant with history. Never lose your sense of humour. As a cartoonist, one may have to be irreverent, but be like R.K. Laxman, who always insisted on ‘dignified irreverence.’”
The prestigious Bartons Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Keshav on July 6 at 11 AM at the Indian Cartoon Gallery, where a retrospective of his iconic works will be displayed from July 6 to July 20. For more details, interested individuals can contact 99800 91428.
