Convey Complex Messages with Subtle Humor
(Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao)
First Prime Minister of India, a ‘True Democrat in Letter and Spirit’ and Large-Hearted Jawaharlal Nehru always enjoyed and relished sarcastic ‘Shankar Cartoons’ on him, by one of the most famous cartoonists of his time, K Shankar Pillai ‘Many a Time’ subtly but impartially critical. Nehru in person suggested him once, 'Don’t spare me Shankar.’ Literally, Shanker never ever spared him. That was the respect commanded by cartoonist Shankar, and humbleness Nehru. When BP Acharya who retired as Special Chief Secretary in Telangana Government, presented me his book ‘Obtuse Angle’ on cartoons, with his signature and warm regards, I instantaneously recollected the Nehru-Shankar conversation. And in tune with my expectation, after glancing through the book, as a cartoonist BP Acharya effort is nothing short of ‘Any Renowned Cartoonist.’ This book is a collection of his published cartoons, dating back to his days in LBS NAA, Mussoorie, as an IAS Probationer.
In fact, he has been pursuing his childhood hobby of cartooning, emulating the legends RK Laxman, Mario, and Kutty, as a regular cartoon columnist titled ‘Obtuse Angle.’ Looking at things from an acute angle, or with a critical look, or in cartoonist’s language from an ‘obtuse angle’ for a funny and humorous side, BP Acharya, since his childhood, attempting to emulate the master strokes of legendary cartoonists started cartooning. Acharya dedicated his book to RK Laxman and Sankaran Kutty Nair, the ‘Masters who inspired him. A ‘Meaningful Theme Cartoon’ depicting them with a conversation that, ‘So many Themes for Cartoons now’ and ‘Wish we are there’ is drawn.
BP Acharya, multifaceted, multiskilled and multitalented personality, and to be more precise a ‘Phenomenon’ is known to me closely for over a decade and distantly earlier. When I was CPRO to Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, and he was heading the Information and Public Relations Department, we worked closely. My job and task demanded frequent interaction with him, and he was always obliging and positive.
Subsequently few years before his retirement he was the Director General of Dr MCR HRD Institute with which I had nine years association in its formative stage. It was to his credit; he was responsible for starting or conducting innumerable prestigious training programs and literally rejuvenating the otherwise dormant institute. These two examples depict his inner urge, capacity, and capability of sustaining ‘Human Relations’ an ‘Essential Trait’ to become a ‘Successful and Eloquent Cartoonist.’ He accomplished this feat extraordinarily.
BP Acharya chiefly admired the fascinating caricatures of Laxman published in the Illustrated Weekly of India and the effortless strokes that captured the exact expression of the personality concerned. Gradually, he developed a habit of drawing faces with different expressions, that later stood him in good stead as a cartoonist. He broadly emulated Laxman’s style, tempered to an extent by meticulous detailing of Sankaran Kutty. He also admired the unique style of Mario Miranda that were also published in the Illustrated Weekly of India.
Against this background, gradually, BP Acharya ventured into making cartoons on his own. As a student in Jawaharlal Nehru University, during Students Union elections, as an activist of ‘Free Thinkers’ caricaturing leftist dogmatism, he made cartoons that were put up as posters for JNUSU electioneering and later too. After joining Indian Administrative Service, despite few job-related restrictions, he continued with his ‘Civil Services Centered Cartoons Creativity’ leading to laughter among his colleagues.
During his LBSNAA probation in Mussoorie, Acharya converted the decision of authorities of the Academy, to make ‘Ties Mandatory for Probationers’ during the Foundation course, into a cartoon, that created quite a flutter. It showed former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, after whom the Academy is named, denied entry as he was not wearing a tie. If one glances in to the book, twelve of his cartoons endeavoring to capture the ‘Travails of a Probationer’ including dress code, table manners, and ‘Dilemmas of Bureaucrat in Making’ displayed on the wall journal of LBSNAA, form part of Chapter One ‘Mussoorie Miscellany.’
After the Mussoorie Training and district attachment, followed by regular postings, he consciously restricted to one cartoon per year in the form of a New Year’s greeting initially with ‘Dennis the Menace’ theme, which practice he continued almost throughout his career. Conduct Rules, which bind the Civil Servants from ‘Freedom of opinion expression’ the quintessential element of cartoons, propelled BP Acharya to peddle unhurriedly. ‘But, as is my wont, I did not give up easily and true to my shibboleth, bashed on regardless!’ wrote Acharya in introduction.Broadly covering funny side of bureaucratic rigmarole which may be categorized as mundane events and dealings of a civil servant, with people in general, colleagues as well as political bosses, Acharya since mid-1990s contributed a monthly cartoon to AP IAS Bulletin. This ‘Somewhat like a Tight Rope Work’ as put by the author had to be eventually discontinued after two decades. Some of these cartoons are presented in Chapter 2 the ‘Obtuse Angle’ Book.
Encouraged by Sucheta Dalal and Debashish Basu thanks to a chance meeting, BP Acharya contributed cartoons to the Mumbai-Based Journal ‘Money Life’ from 2008 to 2011. His ‘Apt Themes’ were based on the then existing ‘Turbulent Times with Wall Street Collapse’ and concomitant global melt down. Some of these are presented in chapter 3 of the book ‘It’s Economy, Stupid.’ They captured the ‘Triumphs and Tragedies’ of those difficult times.When BP Acharya’s cartoons were exhibited at the instance of his good friend Amita Desai the then Director of Hyderabad Goethe Zentrum, who is now Honorary Consul of Germany in April 2017, there was an overwhelming response and media attention. It was there that an idea was mooted to compile the cartoons in a book. Later he was tempted to display his cartoons in Dr MCR HRD Institute, during Civil Service Day celebrations same year.
Few months before his retirement, Pioneer Editor B Krishna Prasad suggested him to contribute cartoons on a regular basis, and that is how his weekly cartoon column was revived on Sundays, beginning with Black and White presentation, and shifting to Color. Little later, Chief Editor of Hans India V Ramu Sarma started publishing his mid-week cartoon column. Some of these cartoons are presented in chapter 4 of the book, ‘Medley.’ The last chapter ‘Autumn Sonata’ carries the transcript of his interview by Bhakti Kothari of Indian Masterminds.
Cartoons in general and particularly in India can be broadly classified into ‘Political, Social, Humorous or Satirical, Editorial, and Caricature-Based.’ There could be many more. These themes have been depicted extraordinarily by Prominent and Notable Cartoonists from the past and present, like RK Laxman, Shankar Pillai, Keshav, EP Unni, Mario Miranda, Abu Abraham, Surendra, Satish Acharya, Mohan, Sudhir Tailang, Gopulu, PK Manthri, Neelabh Banerjee, Yesudasan, Manjul, P Mahmud etc. who became popular and famous for their varied talents in presenting themes.
These classifications reflect the diversity and richness of Indian cartooning, capturing everything from humor and satire to serious political discourse. Nevertheless, Cartoons are either liked or disliked equally based on factors such as personal beliefs, cultural perspectives, humor style, and the relevance of the subject. People resonate with cartoons that align with their views or present issues in an engaging and relevant manner.
‘Cartoons by a few Iconic Cartoonists’ to name one or two like RK Laxman and Mario Miranda are invariably liked by all, because they possess, ‘Universal Appeal, Subtle Humor and Insight, Distinct Style, Consistency and Credibility, Emotional Connection’ etc. Such factors make their work timeless and widely appreciated, regardless of changing times or opinions. BP Acharya’s Cartoons would by and large fit into the category of ‘Legendary Cartoonists’ Cartoons.’ His cartoons, if gone through deeply, will convey complex messages through humor, satire, simplicity, and visual storytelling.
(Author was former CPRO to CM and Spiritualist)
