How To Draw Mahatma Gandhi Cartoon

Cartoonist Shankar Pamarthy's work stems from his admiration of the Mahatma, and also tips its hat to caricaturist N K Ranga

Cartoonist Shankar Pamarthy remembers how the line drawing of Gandhi would play out on Doordarshan to a background score. Wherever he was at home, he would quickly move towards the television and watch in rapt attention. "I was amazed that one could convey the essence of Mahatma Gandhi through simple line drawing," he remembers. With time, Shankar learnt of the Bengaluru cartoonist and caricaturist N K Ranga, whose work gained national prominence and eventually a few of his drawings were released as postal stamps.

Ranga's work was an inspiration when Shankar turned a cartoonist, years later. Shankar's newest work is a series of drawings to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi. An iconic line drawing of Ranga merged the outline of Gandhi and the map of India. Paying homage to this style, Shankar portrays Gandhi's outline in a similar manner, as he's bent over the charkha.

N K Ranga's illustration

Shankar's work has fetched him recognition in Hyderabad and elsewhere, when he has showcased his illustrations and cartoons through exhibitions. Shankar says he used to draw sketches and line drawings of Gandhi when he found time. Around three years ago, he felt the urge to do 150 drawings to mark the 150th birth anniversary. "I did a few sketches, and then decided to focus on fine line drawings. I've done around 50 drawings and hope to complete 150 by next October," he says.

Gandhi was and continues to be a subject for many artists. Nandalal Bose's work on Gandhi, notably the woodcut print on paper depiction of Dandi march, is widely recognised even today. K M Adimoolam worked on a series of black and white portraits, drawing information from a wealth of photographs. Gopi Gajwani, Haku Shah and Mickey Patel, among many other artists, immortalised the life and times of Gandhi through art.

On display at Kalakriti art gallery in Hyderabad, are 40 of these drawings, done using pen, pencil and ink on acid-free paper. Only two of the images have colours, in Shankar's trademark colour sketching style. Drawn against a white or off-white background, the imagery is a reflection of Shankar's admiration of Gandhi. A feeling of awe and celebration come through in his work. "I approached this series as an admirer of Gandhi than an artist," he asserts.

Shankar Pamarthy

In his growing years, he remembers being as excited about Independence Day as he was about other festive occasions and particularly being fond of any material on Gandhi. As a cartoonist, he has developed his own visual language. "At first, I wasn't sure if my drawings on Gandhi would merit a public display. I would do small drawings and share them with my family members, colleagues and friends, and when they appreciated, I felt there was scope," he says.

Shankar talks about using 0.1mm and 0.005mm thickness pens and fine pencils to get the detailing in the drawings. The occasional distortions and deliberate proportional changes in the figures have been done with an intent of portraying Gandhi as a larger-than-life hero, an icon. The stick-like legs in some frames and the gradual tapering of the legs in the Dandi march imagery are also intentional. "I imagined them walking as a large group near the salt bed, with their feet causing the white sand dust to rise up. I felt we wouldn't be able to see their legs clearly, and hence the tapering," he explains.

From the series by Shankar Pamarthy

One image that shows Gandhi laughing heartily towards the viewers was inspired by a rare photograph Shankar chanced upon. "I felt it would be apt to mark his 150th birthday, showing him laughing with child-like happiness," says the cartoonist.

Shankar collected photographs and illustrations as reference material and says, when he travels abroad to display his work or to meet like-minded artists, he has often been referred to as someone hailing from "the country of Gandhi and Buddha". Shankar is glad he can pay an ode to Gandhi and show glimpses of his life — presenting hope, humour, pain, happiness and peace.

Curated by Ruchi Sharma, 'Mahatma 150' by Shankar Parmathy will be on view at Kalakriti, Hyderabad, till October 6.

How To Draw Mahatma Gandhi Cartoon

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/cartoonist-shankar-pamarthys-work-stems-from-his-admiration-of-the-mahatma-and-also-tips-its-hat-to-caricaturist-n-k-ranga/article29565913.ece

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