Drawing Applause: Indian Cartoon Gallery Pays Tribute to the Master of Lines, Surendra

Key Highlights

 

The Indian Cartoon Gallery, managed by the Indian Institute of Cartoonists (IIC), is gearing up to honour veteran cartoonist Surendra of The Hindu with its prestigious Barton Award for Excellence in Cartooning for 2025. This significant recognition marks another milestone in the gallery’s mission to celebrate and preserve India’s vibrant cartooning tradition.

 

About Surendra and His Impact

 

Surendra, whose iconic work has been featured in The Hindu for decades, is acclaimed for his sharp wit, incisive political commentary, and effortless artistry. His cartoons have consistently offered both humour and thought-provoking insights into current affairs, making him a familiar and respected voice in Indian media.

 

With a career spanning multiple eras of Indian journalism and socio-political change, Surendra’s contributions exemplify the enduring power of visual satire and its capacity to engage and inform the public.

 

About the Barton Award

 

The Barton Award for Excellence in Cartooning, presented annually by the IIC, recognizes outstanding achievement and long-term impact in the field. Winners are chosen for their originality, influence, and ability to capture the essence of the Indian experience through the art of cartooning.

 

The 2025 award to Surendra will be presented at a formal ceremony at the Indian Cartoon Gallery in Bengaluru, as part of the gallery’s ongoing exhibition program that showcases both emerging and established Indian cartoonists.

 

Role of the Indian Cartoon Gallery

 

Since its establishment in 2001, the Indian Cartoon Gallery has been a crucial platform for cartoon art, hosting regular exhibitions, competitions, and award ceremonies to nurture and honour talent across generations. The gallery’s rotating exhibits and educational initiatives have contributed to the wider recognition of cartooning as an art form and tool for social commentary.

 

The upcoming felicitation of Surendra is seen as both a recognition of individual excellence and an affirmation of cartooning’s important place in India’s journalistic and cultural heritage.

 

Sources: Indian Institute of Cartoonists (Instagram), Odisha Plus