Kaumudi Online (2008 January 23)

Karunakaran Turns Cartoonist,
First Online Cartoon Exhibition Launched

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An online exhibition featuring the selected works of Kerala Kaumudi staff cartoonist T K Sujith was launched at the VJT Hall here yesterday. Congress leader K Karunakaran inaugurated the exhibition by drawing a cartoon of Bishop Dr Joseph Mar Joseph of Malankara Sabha, at a function attended by Education Minister M A Baby, among others.

Karunakaran, who was a cartoonists' delight for the varied roles he played during his long years in politics yesterday turned a cartoonist himself.

At 89 Karunakaran had a go at his old passion-- drawing cartoons while inaugurating an enhibition of cartoonist Sujith Kumar here.

To the surprise of the audience Karunakaran, who recently rejoined in Congress after a three year estrangement, drew a caricature of a Bishop who was present with unfaltering fingers to mark the start of the show.

As Karunakaran finisihed the work in dark strokes using a sketch pen, the onlookers cheered and applauded him for preserving the artistic spirit despite his advanced years.

Karunakaran had learnt drawing at a young age before he plunged into politics as a Congress worker in the days of freedom struggle.

Interestingly, Karunakaran was the subject of the many of the cartoons of Sujith Kumar, a staffer of Kerala Kaumudi daily, which were on display.

Minister Baby said awards will be given to cartoonists and artists in the name of cartoonist Shanker.

Kerala Kaumudi director M S Ravi, executive editor B C Jojo and unit chief P P James, Indulekha.com editor Swapna Tom Mangatt were among the others present in the function.

The exhibition was together organized by the Kerala Kaumudi daily and inudulekha.com.

(Kaumudi Online, 2008 January 23)