V.S. Achuthanandan was a delight for caricature artistes, says Jayaraj Warrier

The Hindu

21-07-2025

V.S. Achuthanandan was more than a political leader for eminent caricature artiste Jayaraj Warrier — he was a subject rich with rhythm, expression, and dramatic flair. Warrier says Mr. Achuthanandan's distinctive style often reminded him of Chakyarkoothu, the classical art form known for its unique blend of satire and performance.
'His speeches had a unique cadence — the pauses, the emphasis, the way he stretched certain words — it was all very performative,' says Warrier, who has portrayed VS in more than 4,000 stage performances. 'Whether it was intentional or not, there was something theatrical like Chakyarkoothu in the way he addressed people.'
Exaggeration and humour were the vehicles used by VS to communicate with people, says Mr. Warrier. 'VS' way of speaking, his body language and expressions often carried a touch of humour,' Warrier notes. 'His style had a huge scope for caricature performance. So he was always caricature artistes' delight.'
'VS had a particular skill in communicating with people from all walks of life. He chooses his words and modulations carefully. That was his craftsmanship as a speaker. It was deliberate — he wanted his message to stay with the listener, especially among workers and the less formally educated,' Warrier points out.
Even when addressing corruption or social issues, his speeches were characterised by a direct, unpretentious style. It was this blend, Warrier says, that kept the audiences engaged.
Warrier first met Mr. Achuthanandan in 2003 after years of performing his caricature across stages. 'He laughed when he saw me and asked, you're making money off us, aren't you?'
Warrier chooses not to rely on costumes or makeup to portray public figures. Instead, he focusses on voice, gestures, and body language. 'What matters is capturing the essence — not the look, but the feel of the person.'
(as told to Mini Muringatheri)