60th RepublicDay....and Sudhirji cartooning...my experiencesGood wishes

Good wishes to everyone on our 60th Republic Day....and wish that more and more people become aware of rules and regulations...constitutional /fundamentals rights and duties, where ever amendments are needed ASK for it but most important is to follow it.

Yesterday we went to Rashtrapati Bhavan, nice weather, nice ambience,beautiful garden and decorated Bhavan...really eye catching and shoothing...full of patriotism. Numbers of invitees, it seems are increasing every year...we went their
twice every year on 26th January and 15th of August....I have good memories of Ex-President shri K.R.Narayanan saheb's duration there as I with a team from Mumbai(for old office) shot a filler on Rastrapati Bhavan and Mughal garden there(were shooting monuments...for which I coordinated as well)...I remember his press attache Mr Satish Nambudiripaad, who was very press friendly told me you don't need an appointment to shoot here...'GHAR KI BAAT HAI'...I told him with whole team and equipment will you let us in just like that...he said, then send me a list for security check(though later on once or twice we didn't went and he told us...'Jo nahin aayega aage se list se usska nam kat denge..quite witty person)....I still remember also President saheb's shoot for our own Home Production,STUDIO ANIMATION, later on...'50years of Lampooning,anchored/interviewed by Sudhirji' for DD...Mr Narayanan (any working President)had given first ever TV interview to anyone,it was our previledge to be there....I still remember,he asked me 'even you're a cartoonist???'...I with Rajesh was part of the team.....very nice,precious and prestigious moments...Later on we went there with family(including Sudhirji's brother/sister with their spouse/kid and my elder brother with bhabhi and kids) for private screening of the programme(Episode) there....where other dignatries were also present.

Yes! Definitly it was a proud moment when Sudhirji got PADAMASHREE AWARD by then President Mr Abdul Kalam saheb....me,Chinu,Ma,Babuji was there. Kalam sahab had alot praise for Sudhirji's work...he asked him to draw his caricature/cartoon(His hair style was quite popular in film industry as Mr Salman Khan had copied it once)....Just before his retirement,Sudhirji got a phonecall from his office,asking about his cartoon...Sudhirji went there with his framed caricature which he presented to him and chatted about cartooning and news...and later on written about it in THE ASIAN AGE...after leaving his office,that day he gave an interview to PTI and spoken in favour of cartooning art and its importance...as it must get space in the front page of Newspapers.... as even it is becoming a DYING ART and getting VILUPT(its history beging from ravana caricatured as ten headed person in mythology to traditional FHADD PAINTING...)...as wipeout from front page to...inside...that become headlines of that day...and ...though Sudhirji's fight is going on to save and revive it...that's why he has worked on all aspect of CARTOONING...documented world and Indian history of Cartooing for DD as 'Kartoon ki kahani', '50yrs of lampooning'...which has profile of legendry cartoonists of our country...SAFARNAMA...CD ROMs, Cerigraphs...and books, writeups...etc, I also contributed with him as a team member(in scripting,researching,assisting) and did a cover story on art of cartooning for DHARMYUG as well. Mr Kalam's statement became fresh air for this dying art and a great support and a good gesture for Sudhirji....but this fight is going on not only for survival....but to revive and establish it and its importantance in our country for generations to come.My salute to Sudhirji also!!!I am always there in his this Safar/Yatra to support and help.(He is not a ghar ki murgi daal barabar...can't say about myself..ha!ha!)

A 'cut and paste' matter from my own blog chinuaditi.blogspot.com...about what one need ingredients to be a finest cartoonist...!!!(though I have not written articles which were cut n paste from anywhere in office days, though stories do need research...Taiyaari to know backgrounder and datas,statistics if needed to update self...or write...and do know what one should speak from any formal platform).

(I am feeling bit nostalgic today,as Sudhirji's B'day is on the 26th. He'll be 49 yrs old.Jub we met, he was 24(in dec 1984).We got married on 24th Nov,'86 and chinu was born on 10th sept,'87.We both belong to traditional families trying to change with time. With Sudhirji its not just a 'safarnama' of husband-wife, family person, but a wife of a celebrated cartoonist as well. I was a professional journalist, and still by nature a journalist, freelancing occasionally.

Being his wife is an interesting and difficult job, you need to be updated in News, if not indepth, but in basics, as you won't be able to understand if you don't know the news it potraying.He makes Political Cartoons but, it covers all the leading and newsy issues, whether political(which is also social),social, economical,sports,entertaintment,environmental,national, international....coated with political line.So you need to be all rounder to smile on and feel the crux, the satire and the irony it dipicts.Its like an editorial in a frame, with one liner.Its like a Charlie Chapplin's Film which makes you laugh as well as sad at a time.

So you need to be sensitive enough to understand it, and should have sense of humour as well to appreciate it.

One need to understand the pain and suffering of a leading cartoonist who consistently for last 27 yrs(officially) and for last 39 yrs (unofficially)...busy in creation.At times he feel stagnated,he is on the Plateau from where he wants to go up and up so that more and more people can hear his voice..his issues..his protest and his suggestions...for which he is struggling for last 27 yrs...to make the difference...this what his mission is. For this he has to deliver 6 days a week and read books, magazines, litreature, search in internet and watch television..to be update and to be the latest.

Cartooning is a unique profession- combination of a well educated person who has allround knowledge of issues to depict, language to attack,artistic bent to potray in a small frame and have a sense of humour, sense of proportion,vision to see between the lines and future as well.Its his understanding,presentation and packaging of News which makes his cartoons unique..as News is the same for every newsperson. I like his thinking and conviction with which he makes the Cartoon. Every day he has to deliver a baby...At times I don't agree with his perspective or point of view...but I have all praise for him and I am Proud of him...I love you Sudhir...Keep going on.)


AN OLD NEWS CLIPPING.....


Wednesday, August 31, 2005



Course chat
"Sense of humour must for cartoonist’s job"
Vibha Sharma




Sudhir Tailang

YOU can count the number of political cartoonists in India on your fingertips. In fact, in the words of well-known cartoonist Sudhir Tailang, "Cartoonists, like tigers, are an endangered species in the country. But we are not as ferocious."

Tailang, who made his first cartoon in 1970, when he was just 10 years’ old, started his career with the ‘Illustrated Weekly of India’, Mumbai, in 1982. In 1983, he joined ‘Navbharat Times’ in Delhi. And for a major part of his career, nearly 17 years, he was with the ‘Hindustan Times’. In between, he did a couple of short stints with the ‘Indian Express’ and the ‘Times of India’. His present assignment is with the ‘Asian Age’.

When asked what advice he would give to those wanting to become professional cartoonists, he says in a lighter vein, "Why would anyone want to commit harakiri?"

But on a serious note, Tailang describes his job thus: "Remember the story of the emperor and his new clothes. A political cartoonist is like the child in the story who told the emperor that he was wearing no clothes."

"A cartoon is a political comment. A political cartoonist draws a visual editorial, and also manages to make fun of people and situations that some editorial writers may not have the liberty to do," he adds.

Anyone aspiring to become a political cartoonist, must possess a journalistic worldview and analytical abilities in addition to the basic ability to draw, he feels.

"This is not a run-of-the-mill profession and I have been quite fortunate to land myself good jobs. But I have never been through an arts college. In fact, I am a science graduate and postgraduate in English literature."

"One cannot train to become a cartoonist and most of us are self-taught. But what you do require is a sense of humour, a sense of mischief, a crazy sort of personality and a passion for doing something different," he adds.

"If you are an IT professional, you will have hundreds of work options. But opportunities in this profession are limited.`A0 You have to go a long way before making a mark, which requires a lot of patience and persistence."

However, he opines, times are changing and there is now some scope for cartoonists in the electronic media and animation. But in the print media, it is still tough to carve a niche for oneself. For beginners, he has this suggestion, "Go and meet editors, show them your work, and get it published. Freelancing is another option, but it is tough going. Money wise too, this field is not too lucrative in the beginning." Twentyeight years into cartooning, E.P. Unny is now a veteran in the field. He started his career with ‘The Hindu’, where he worked for almost 12 years.

Later, he moved to Delhi and joined ‘The Economic Times’. At present with the ‘Indian Express’, his political comments in "Business as usual" are well known. Simply passionate about his work, Unny says one cannot plan to become a cartoonist.

"I started by sending a couple of cartoons to ‘The Hindu’, the then Editor liked my work and asked me to join the newspaper."

"One essential quality for becoming a cartoonist is the ability to draw with a comic twist, it’s not about faithfully reproducing pictures."

"Cartooning is not a structured career like engineering, medicine or law. The bottom line is — it is not a routine career," he points out.

"One way to begin is to try and get your work published. There is no such thing as professional training, one just learns on the job,"

Unny opines.


Yesterday on 26th Jan, Sudhirji's niece Pupul celebrated her 18th b'day....an intelligent, sincere in her studies, a topper-(in best 5ives)in school since childhood(Birla Vidya Niketan),tez terrar, a go getter,good mix of tradition and mordernity, may have many hidden/latent talents...now is a class 12th student...good in cultural activities ....good wishes to her for her healthy,prosperous and a bright future. .....now On the 30Jan 10..in her class 12th farewell function in her school,...she got the TITLE of MISS BVN(BIRLA VIDYA NIKATEN)after going through 3rounds of few steps of dance,few lines of a song,few minutes of ramp walk and answers of few questions....good wishes to her.

Yesterday..My younger brother -Alok's son Anupam(Golu) lead his house(Blue) holding Flag in the Republic Day march past at his Ryan International School,Chaandhigarh, in the age of just 14...good achivement...got 2Gold and 1 silver medals in sports...amongst toppers in class...good in Maths quiz(Olimpiads)..so as her sister Runu/Arushi(13)of RED House....got one Silver medal..participated in Aerobics ...on the occassion of Republic day. Good that kids in first family are doing well. So as Arun Bhaiyya's younger son Bunty/Vikram (23) has become full fleged professional software engineer joined INFOSYS at Mysore for one year training and now is posted in Pune for his first job....Good wishes to all of them.Even Nibha's daughter Nishu/Bhavya's 6 work got selected and displayed in her school's annual exhibhition in Patna...good wishes.

Today(28/1/10) Is a great day for Aditi as Sudhirji while discussing some idea and sketching....checking chinu's work...he told her your FREE HAND SKETCHES are better then mine....good as he do not praise anyone unneccessarily....I wish she takes it humbly...so that she keep on growing....I know she has 'in born talent,kudrat ki den'...but need to polish it with constant and thourogh practice,observation,studies...theory/practical...in Sudhirji's and other experts guideince(she is doing it and still need more...and more effort).I wish she should be known for her work like Sudhirji(Though since childhood she refuses to copy(100%) even his father's line/drawing,mujhe aapne jaise banaana hai??...but do have subconcious imprint of father's talent,he adores his papa...and a bit of mine,(mere passe ma hai...thats her dialouge for me)....must have latent talents yet to be discovered!!!... She is a good Human being....that I know.She is going to NID Ahmadabad next week on 11/feb/10 for 3 days College festival(50 of them from her College for 5days), will be back by 16th...participating in Photography competition...individual catagory(can participate in one event only)...there, on the spot, they will get topics...will have to shoot and edit in laptop...and get marked...good wishes....hope she should get some good 'cause'...to cover, in last 2yrs college festivals she oraganised fashion show and participated in it, as well in college,...and in IIT delhi, BIT Pilani,NID Ahmadabad...themes were from bible/black and white era...with causes...!! On the 27th feb 10..her School SPV(Sardar Patel Vidyalaya) is having almuni association get together in a big way...Aditi is invited to be part of organizing committee of students- management team...only one from her batch...is requested to do co ordination of her batch through email...and design Posters and stickers etc for PATELIANS...(publicity material...which she offered to do and teachers were very happy to know that)....glad to see her doing extra effort...as it is her final year as well...and exams are from March...right now she is busy packing and doing all preparations for her trip...as well as giving mock test in college...and helping in household work as well..( as our maidservant is on leave)...including has become our driver also...whenever possible,and if Sudhirji is busy)...doing most of the work on her own...inside and outside...appne aap(though we are always there to help her, good to see her so independent)....Its a good sign that after little bit of 'LADHKADHANA' in studies in school daysafter 8th std, becoz of that Sudhirji thought of doing SIFARISH during addmission in SPV and DCA(don't want to take a chance,these are a prestigious institutions and seats are limited...even I believe that by supporting a talented child to restore his/her confidence and come back on track...littlebit Push is not favouratism...if its not harming anyone else's career...I am sure she'll prove it with her work/talent)...though she has gone through written test and an interview(in school and College entrance test)...and got 70% in 10th and in 12th...and doing well in College....now....decided to focus on one of her subject Photography...aage-aage dekhiye hota hai kya...??

Well Good news that Aditi won the only prize in photography....topic was 5 self potraits...She shot five activities which she believes,...she has!!...A woman worshipping a cow(I believe), a dog sleeping on the cot in a aangan(I leiseure),a street side barber cutting someone's hair..( I indulge), a bird sitting on the top of a big tree..(I seek), slogan written on the wall and a postbox in the side(I speak) and a paragraph about it.....(good to see today's youth are more career oriented and has higher awareness level about career/hobby and sorroundings.)
!!!

Good and my hearty wishes to her,so that she make all proud of her by her work(vaise bhi manke haare harr hai, mann ke jite jeet)'...her merit...her obedient behaviour(as much is necessary)...including them as well,who recommended her name....sabko iss per bhi FAKHR/GARV HO!!!(BADE GHAR KE SABHI LADLE BIGDE NAHIN HOTE...MERI LADLI BHI BIGDI NAHIN HAI...NEITHER SHE IS AUSTISTIC OR MENTALLY CHALLENGED LIKE AANTARA...OF A SERIAL)!!!

...I wish same of SELF also,to be known for my contributions/work around me,in Society...will try more to work on it. I do believe in using OLIVE BRANCH for PEACE.

Just cameback(28/1/10) from Sudhirji's college time friend Dr Rajan's B'day Private Party, with few more family friends, all of them from Bikaner...Sudhirji's classmates/spouses/kids...now settled in Delhi....nice evening in Noida club 26. These are few friends like a family to us for whom we can say "FRIENDS IN NEED ARE FRIENDS INDEED"....!!! GOOD WISHES DR.RAJAN, Live long,be healthy and live prosperous and cordial life.

Sudhirji asked Aditi why only she is invited from her batch for meeting??......I have written few lines on her in chinuaditi blogspot.com.....I'll cut n paste here.


.....25TH MARCH 2009...(When I was in school, we used to do 'surya-namaskar'as a PT curriculam in Kendriya Vidyalaya, no one ever said its communal(we had students of all religions)...and I don't think I am communal, but recently few years back it become 'communal'in MP.Why???

When Aditi was in Apeejay school till 10th std...they used to chant 'gayatri mantra'...everyone studied sanskrit in school, they had 'yagya kund'...they celebrated every other 'thuohar' together in school which means thousands of them...I can speak about her, she is not communal...

She has been to many church, mandir, golden temple, jama masjid...in Sardar Patel School (11th-12th), Which is a Gujrati school...She always won certificates for Rangoli making...or every year she participated in Navratri 'Garba' with others in school...in Gujrati Traditional dress and with dandiya...she still go there annually,in Navratri...as invited by school(invitation for all passouts)...does that make her communal or regressive???

Once a Sudhirji's German Friend talking to her few yrs back, asked her about Akshardham Temple...She replied, its beautiful but one should do some meaningful use of land...which means, it should include real charitable work...He said, even in his country youth are less attached to Church, one should add some new dimensions to involve youth with them???Does that make her communal or Non-Believer???

As a student of Political science, Socialogy, History, English and Psychology in 11-12th(I don't Know how much she remember her course now)... they have done many case studies...group discussions...with themslve, teachers, Guest experts, prepared own Agenda and Menifesto's for school elections, as electing class rep in quite democratic process, was interesting...was member of Neighbourhood project in school activities...did social work...does that make her politically aware or a politician???

I am not saying I or Sudhirji has nor done these things...but these first time voters are smarter...we expect that they should not disrespect religion...but respect...what is socially wrong...be balanced, and unbiased...and discard wrong candidates not parties (as all of them are more or less same), who do not believe in our Constitution...who treates every citizens equally...We need leaders who make members of every caste and religions feel safe and secure and not do vote bank politics... )...FROM CHINUADITI BLOGSPOT.COM...IN CONTEXT OF COMMUNALISM.