more-in Over the years, cartoons, mainly those on political themes, are known to have been fulfilling the important role of reflecting upon and often critiquing issues that have influenced the public. Cartoonist T.K. Sujith has always sought to highlight contemporary issues through his political cartoons and lend his analytical take on the particular topic. Around 100 cartoons that have been drawn by Sujith, who works with the Malayalam daily Kerala Kaumudi, have been displayed at the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi art gallery at the Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan. The exhibition, titled ‘Thalavarakal’, got under way on Thursday. “Of late, we have been overwhelmed by the extent to which social media have enabled us to express our opinion on diverse issues and probably, influence those of several others. However, at the same time, we are also in the midst of intolerant times wherein views have become constricted and there were not many who subscribe to the idea of being broad-minded,” he says. As is the case of practitioners of other forms of art, cartoonists have also begun to feel the heat when it comes to projecting certain issues. “We have grown up hearing about the memorable quote by (former Prime Minister) Jawaharlal Nehru, who had told cartoonist Shankar “Don’t spare me”. Not many of our leaders are bold enough to take such a stance any more and expose themselves to constructive criticism at will,” Mr. Sujith said. Inaugurating the exhibition, senior cartoonist P.V. Krishnan said the cartoons had much relevance at a time when the country which was once known as a garden of diverse cultures, has been torn apart by divisions created on the basis of religion, caste, colour and political affiliation. Kerala Lalithakala Akademi chairman Nemom Pushparaj, executive member Karakkamandapam Vijayakumar, art critic and curator M.L. Johny, Kerala Cartoon Academy secretary Sudheer Nath and cartoonist K.B. Harikumar also spoke on the occasion. The exhibition is open from 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. on all days (except Monday) till February 15.

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