“Cartoons are vehicle of human and social transformation’’: Mukhyamantri Chandru

 “Commercialization is leading to the suppression of the creative faculties of the youth. The need for making a living is forcing the commercialization of all art forms and this need to be controlled. In such a scenario, the efforts of cartoonists to sensitize the society and youth are very significant” said Shri mukhyamantri Chandru, popular cine artist and President of Kannada Development Authority at the inauguration of an exhibition of the cartoons of Satish yellapur and MS Chethan at the Indian Cartoon Gallery, MG Road here today.

Shri Chandru remarked that caricatures are vehicles of human and social transformation and they play a vital role in sensitization of the public on various issues. Every Indian art form has a tradition and cultural background to it and India is a global leader when it comes to creative art and culture. Cartoons are so effective that an epic can be told in one caricature, said Mr. Chandru. He also assured his full support to the IIC in their initiatives to promote Kannada language through cartoons.

Earlier, Shri Mukhyamantri Chandru formally commenced the event by lighting the lamp.

Mr. Satish yellapur expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Mr.Narendra, whose pressure, he said, was the driving force for him to come all way long to Bangalore from south canara. He said that though he hailed from rural India, but the menace of plastic waste has tormented the places of tourist interests to such an extent that he had to theme his current collection of caricatures on the hazards of plastic waste. He said that if this exhibition could result in the recycling of at least plastic bags, his purpose of the present caricatures would be fulfilled.

MS Chethan recollected the contribution of his teachers and well wishers for his growth as a cartoonist and thanked one and all for the same.
V. G. Narenrda, President of Indian Institute of Cartoonists (IIC) thanked Mr. Mukhyamantri Chandru for inaugurating the cartoon exhibition and sought his valuable guidance in the days to come to further the cause of caricatures.

About 30 select cartoons and comic installations of Satish yellapur and 29 caricatures of MC Chethan are on display at the exhibition. The exhibition will be on for public till 20th November 2010 at The Indian Cartoon Gallery, No 1 Midford Gardens, Behind Big Kids Kemp, Off MG Road, Bangalore- 1, except on Sundays.

About Satish yellapur and M.C Chethan:
Sathish Yellapur, who started drawing cartoons in 1984, has so far contributed more than 1000 cartoons to Prajavani, Samyukta Karnataka, Tharanga, Sudha, Mayur, Karmaveera, Mangala.  He is working as Art Teacher in Government High School, Bisgod, North Canara District.

M.C. Chethan, an enthusiastic animator, has worked in Antz, Data Quest Entertainment Limited, Etv Kannada, IFX. At present he teaches, caricaturing, 2D animation drawing, landscapes, perspective drawing, human anatomy and flash animation to the students at this studio.