Latest news with #WorldCartoonistDay
The Print
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Print
As Senas squabble over Bal Thackeray, a group of cartoonists is quietly preserving his other legacy
According to the president of the outfit, Sanjay Mistry, the event, held every year in different cities of Maharashtra, is meant to be 'a tribute to the caricature and cartoon art, and his mentor, Balasaheb, a master of excellence at it'. Last week, the Cartoonists' Combine, which comprises cartoonists from across Maharashtra, held its annual 'Cartoon Mahotsav' at a banquet hall in Mumbai's suburban Santacruz to mark World Cartoonist Day, which is observed annually on 5 May. Mumbai: Ever since the Shiv Sena split in 2022, Uddhav Thackeray, Eknath Shinde and even Raj Thackeray have been in a tug of war over party founder Bal Thackeray's political legacy. Meanwhile, a group of veteran cartoonists is doing its best to preserve and further his artistic legacy through the Cartoonists' Combine—an outfit founded by Bal Thackeray himself in 1983. This year, the Cartoonists' Combine had to limit the number of activities at the event, especially the competition segment, to save on the prize money. Not that the funding was hard to come by, it was just that the members of the organisation always choose to conduct the event with their modest individual contributions. And, they would not encourage funding from politicians, Mistry said. 'As cartoonists, we draw courage to show the mirror to the powers that are,' Mistry told ThePrint. 'How could we take their help?' In the same breath, he laments that in the current times, the cartoon art is dying. 'Not because there is a dearth of competent artists, it has to do with the curtailed freedom available to the artists to express themselves,' he said. But the organisation manages to find support from friends and well-wishers in every city. This year, Sandesh Chavhan, founder-director of Ola Vakola Banquet where the event was held, stepped in to cover the logistical arrangements. 'Art unites,' he told ThePrint. A student of the cartoon art, he took it upon himself to personally attend to visitors at the exhibition and lead them to the cartoons displayed on the well-lit walls of the banquet hall. Chavhan was, in fact, listed as one of the co-organisers in the invitation for the Cartoon Mahotsav. Bal Thackeray began his professional career as a cartoonist with the English-language daily The Free Press Journal, but he left over political differences with editors and went on to form his own political weekly Marmik in 1960. Marmik was most popular for its caricatures and cartoons on social and political issues of the times. According to Mistry, Cartoonists' Combine was started by the Shiv Sena founder to meet the rising demand for creative cartoonists at Marmik. Today, Cartoonists' Combine maintains that it is not politically affiliated. However, this year's Cartoon Mahotsav was held with support from Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Potnis, and had Subhash Desai, senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and close aide of Bal Thackeray's son Uddhav, as special guest, according to the invite for the event. Mistry emphasised that their presence did not make the platform political. 'They are friends from old times,' he told ThePrint. The Cartoon Mahotsav For the event, Cartoonists' Combine had sought entries from cartoonists all over India through newspapers and social media, inviting them to express their thoughts and emotions on social issues. A total of 100 cartoon images were on display, revealing truth through subtle variations of form of characters. Techniques such as symbolism, exaggeration, satire and humour, all hallmarks of Bal Thackeray's own style, attempted to convey hard-hitting social malaise and political chaos through mere lines and curves. Each display on the wall spoke of the issues of the time, yet some rang as eternal truths. For instance, Mangesh Tendulkar's work showing a family of five crammed on a scooter, complete with the pet dog leashed behind, while a beggar from the street looks on. Then there was a caricature of Bal Thackeray himself drawn by none other than his nephew, Raj Thackeray, showing his uncle waving at supporters. Mistry said Cartoonists' Combine had sent invitations to both Uddhav and Raj, but they could not make it due to other commitments. 'Balasaheb would always be present for the annual Cartoonists' Combine events and he encouraged artists to express themselves with boldness and courage. He also offered suggestions on improvement by touching up their artwork himself,' he explained. Entries depicting last month's Pahalgam tragedy had also been invited, and some thoughtful responses were received. A terrorist with trails of footprints from Pakistan was one. The wall of images was colourful and digitised, in stark contrast to the pencil sketches of the veterans. 'Plagiarism has become easy nowadays,' Mistry said. 'People tend to lift any image of another artist and post it out with their signature.' The cartoon art being an intellectual activity, a combination of skill, sensitivity and deep thinking, needed to be encouraged, he asserted. With hard work and passion for their art, cartoonists would survive and even flourish in any society, he added. Komal Talwalkar, a graphic designer who visited the exhibition, was impressed with the images on display. 'Social and political issues have been dealt with humour and satire. You see them with a pinch of salt—a punch,' she told ThePrint, adding that her focus is on trying to understand how the mind of a cartoonist works. Mistry is already planning the next event of Cartoonists' Combine. The topic, he said, will be unity. 'Only artists and writers can break the big walls of divisions in society. They have strong weapons of brushes and pens,' he said. Chitra Anand is an intern who graduated from ThePrint School of Journalism. (Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui) Also Read: Politics through cartoonists' lens & no one to 'stand with real Bajrang devotees'
News18
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
World Cartoonist Day 2025: History, Significance, And Top 10 Global Animation Artists
World Cartoonist Day recognises the hard work and dedication of cartoonists who use their talent to make people laugh, think, and sometimes even inspire social change. World Cartoonist Day 2025: Cartoonists have been an integral part of society for decades, shaping how people around the world view current events, as well as political and social issues. To honour the legacy of renowned cartoonists who have left an indelible mark on the industry, World Cartoonist Day is observed annually on May 5. The day celebrates the art of cartooning and the creative minds behind iconic works that have served as a constant source of entertainment and commentary for over a century. On this day, let's explore the history, significance, quotes, celebrations and 10 globally acclaimed animation artists: World Cartoonist Day: History In 1943, a group of cartoonists including Gus Edson, Clarence D. Russell, Otto Soglow and Bob Dunn performed cartoon shows in hospitals to uplift the spirits of soldiers during World War II. Given the positive response, the group began performing at various hospitals and military bases. advetisement Later, cartoonist Russell proposed the idea of establishing a club to preserve their camaraderie beyond the war. This led to the formation of the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) in 1946. Spearheaded by co-chairpersons Polly Keener and Ken Alvine of the National Cartoonists Day Committee, the celebration of National Cartoonists Day began in 1999. They drew inspiration from Richard Outcault's full-colour drawings of the cartoon Hogan's Alley, which debuted on May 5, 1895, in the Sunday edition of the New York World. Later renamed The Yellow Kid, this iconic character became the first commercially successful cartoon and went on to appear on postcards, cigarette packets, billboards and other advertisements. World Cartoonist Day: Significance The day celebrates the art of cartooning and its contributions to society. World Cartoonist Day recognises the hard work and dedication of cartoonists who use their talent to make people laugh, think, and sometimes even inspire social change. The day also honours the legacy of famous cartoonists such as Charles Schulz, Walt Disney, and Dr. Seuss, and celebrates the power of cartoons and the creative minds behind them. World Cartoonist Day: Quotes 'Cartooning is preaching. And I think we have a right to do some preaching. I hate shallow humor. I hate shallow religious humour, I hate shallow sports humour, I hate shallowness of any kind." ― Charles M. Schulz 'Grown-ups' could learn a lesson from watching cartoons." ― James Jean-Pierre 'Cartoons are a great medium for demonstrating just how absurd something is, without ever having to say it directly." ― Jen Sorensen 'Cartoons have always been an enjoyment to me… a relaxation… I get my ideas from everyday events." ― Matthew Ashford 'Cartoons make kids happy, and that's a great feeling." ― Zelda Williams 'I think it's best to know about lots of different things besides comics. I don't think you can become a cartoonist if you look at nothing but cartoons." – Akira Toriyama 'I never saw myself so much as an actor. I wanted to be a cartoonist like Charles M. Schulz and create my own world and be able to have a studio at home and not commute and be able to be with my family." – Mark Hamill 'People still think of me as a cartoonist, but the only thing I lift a pen or pencil for these days is to sign a contract, a check, or an autograph." – Walt Disney 'I don't think of myself as an illustrator. I think of myself as a cartoonist. I write the story with pictures – I don't illustrate the story with the pictures." – Chris Ware 'If you want to find out what a writer or a cartoonist really feels, look at his work. That's enough." – Shel Silverstein World Cartoonist Day: Celebrations People around the world celebrate the day by sharing or viewing their favourite cartoons. They also engage with social media posts about the day and attend events or workshops related to animation and cartooning. You can also create a National Cartoonist Day poster and share it on social media to raise awareness about the day and honour the cartoonists. World Cartoonist Day: 10 Globally Acclaimed Animation Artists Walt Disney: The list of acclaimed animation artists is incomplete without Walter Elias Disney. He is the world's most renowned animator, cartoonist, entrepreneur and pioneering showrunner of animated cartoon films. His iconic creations include Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and others. His exceptional visual storytelling and character development techniques revolutionised the animation industry. He also introduced the 12 Animation Principles to animators at Disney during the 1930s. Hayao Miyazaki: Also known as Japan's master animator, Hayao Miyazaki has worn multiple hats throughout his illustrious career. From animator and screenwriter to producer and manga artist, Miyazaki has always stood out with his focus on social issues, environmentalism and family. He has been vocal about the need for artistry and creative expression in animation and character design. His works offer a glimpse into an outstanding deployment of emotional storytelling and the art of attention to detail. Tim Burton: Tim Burton, an American filmmaker, animator and creative artist, is another well-known personality in the world of animation and filmmaking. He developed the distinctive 'Burtonesque' style, which focused on using appealing textures, overlays and other elements, thus producing animated works such as Corpse Bride and Frankenweenie. Besides animation, his film production skills, characterised by dark themes, are also widely recognised. Glen Keane: Next on the list of the world's best animation artists is Glen Keane, an Academy Award-winner. He was a cartoon animator at Walt Disney Animation Studios for around 38 years. He brought to life iconic characters in films such as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Pocahontas, the Beast and Tarzan. Glen's technique involved integrating exaggeration into his characters' poses and movements, resulting in performances that resonate deeply with audiences. Chuck Jones: Chuck Jones, associated with Warner Bros. Animation, is celebrated for his contributions to the iconic Looney Tunes series. He created memorable characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and the Road Runner during the golden age of animation. If you've ever watched these cartoons, you'll know how brilliantly Jones demonstrated the power of comic timing, exaggerated expressions, and dynamic poses. John Lasseter: He is the creative American genius behind some of your all-time favourite animated films. John Lasseter, the former Chief Creative Officer of Pixar Studios, played a major role in creating iconic animated works such as the Toy Story franchise, Cars, A Bug's Life and more. His contributions to computer-generated imagery and 3D animation paved the way for the animation industry to flourish. He also served as Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios from 2006 to 2018, overseeing projects such as Tangled, Moana and others. Akira Toriyama: It wouldn't be wrong to say that his contribution to the anime industry was both huge and revolutionary. Japanese animation artist Akira Toriyama was the creative mind behind the much-loved animated series Dragon Ball. In addition, his work on Dr. Slump also received widespread acclaim. His artistic abilities were widely discussed across the animation world, thanks to his ultra-expressive storylines, memorable characters and dynamic action sequences. Tex Avery: Tex Avery was an American animator, voice actor and cartoonist whose career spanned nearly 30 years. He had brief stints at Warner Bros., MGM and Hanna-Barbera, and was widely regarded as a genius in executing slapstick comedy — a fast-paced, action-based humour style where characters are often portrayed in exaggerated actions and comical situations. Among the characters he developed or co-developed are Droopy Dog, Bugs Bunny and others. Matt Groening: Matt Groening is the cartoonist behind the sharp, satirical plot of the famous American animated sitcom The Simpsons. Often regarded as one of the most successful cartoonists, he was also the creator of the iconic TV show Futurama. His expertise spans writing witty scripts, and creating cheeky and satirical narrative that reflects real-life situations through animated characters. Stephen Hillenburg: Another American animator, Stephen Hillenburg, created one of the most beloved children's animated series — SpongeBob SquarePants. His characters and the underwater setting of the show were inspired by his degree in marine biology and his fascination with ocean life. He created characters rooted in slapstick comedy and humorous dialogue, creating a world that has brought joy and laughter to audiences around the globe. First Published: May 05, 2025, 07:00 IST
