Can you define Indian politics in seven words? Have you ever smiled while feeling the pain? Do you think Pak-Kashmir, US-Obama and the great recession can be linked?
All children and old men think alike when they hear the name Spiderman spoken of! Isn’t it? Well yes! Not because that great guy has got a colorful dress, printed in red and blue and has the power to race with the wind, and keeping himself high above the crowd and traffics! But because he was silent all the time however the readers world over were reading him aloud. Well, tell me where did you first meet this great guy? Not in your lawn, I bet. Yes, neither he resides in your neighbor-hood nor mine – but we all know him. How? Yes, I know what your answer is! Spider-man was born in books as a sketch, a cartoon – However he captured all our hearts and minds through his views and thoughts. Yes! Now that’s what we call the power of Cartoons!
Cartoons, loved by all the ages are not mere disfigured sketches in black & white, but rather are more alive than the most of the living groups.
Cartoons have got the power to speak truth in the most humble way!
Cartoons don’t fear to be like or disliked, they are very honest in their manner and they mirror the real complex life in simple and plain manner.
Political cartoons are the ones seen mostly in everyday newspapers: They convey such important messages yet appear to be funny all the time. How simple are they! Wonderful, isn’t it?
Few of the best political cartoons seen these days are Cartoons by Irfan – He explains himself so lucidly through his sketches. He is into every kind of Cartoons & Caricatures, few of them include: Cartoons on Indian Politicians, cartoons on current political issues, Editorial cartoons, Cartoon on famous Indian characters, Politicians as caricatures, etc.
Irfan's cartoons visualize the thoughts of the Aam Aadmi and few of his recent political cartoons are highly acclaimed. Famously called the “political cartoonist Irfan” got sentenced for 4 months for making a cartoon on former Chief Justice of India in 2007. This matter is still pending in the Supreme Court of India. His political humor exceeds all limits and brings the harsh facts pictured through dumb yet vicious cartoons.
I bet now you would you like to see more of him, so go ahead and entertain yourself with all matters of mind explained through simple cartoons!
You are welcome in the world of Cartoons by Irfan!
Meet Irfan…
Born in a simple family of Gwalior, India, this young man set out to reveal his art to the world quite early in life. At 42 today, he can boast of a 27-year long cartoonist career. The reason that kept him growing in his profession was he got younger with each passing day. Today, he is a kid who looks at all problems of this world in the simplest way possible.
Irfan's first step was in Dainik Bhaskar in 1982. It was the time when newspapers were still the most popular means of mass communication. Art colleges were not very common. Irfan had just time, wisdom and observation to help him grow. And he grew…to the extent that 6 years later this kid organised his solo cartoon exhibition at India's most famous art gallery in Delhi-Sridharani,Triveni. After that, there was no looking back.
He joined the Times group in Lucknow. No other Hindi newspaper in the city was publishing political cartoons then. The concept became so popular that within months ten other newspapers had cartoon corners in their pages.
Irfan shifted to Delhi in 1994, and his journey in national media began…
The then editor-in-chief of The Economic Times, Swaminathan Aiyar soon recognized his talent, and invited him to join his team. Irfan moved up the ladder with Prabhu Chawla in The Financial Express, MJ Akbar in The Asian Age, Shekhar Gupta in The Indian Express and is currently with Om Thanvi in Jansatta.
Irfan pioneered the concept of political cartoons in electronic media in India. He got involved with Zee News' Morning Zee and used to draw a cartoon of the week every Sunday on-screen. Soon he came up with his own show Shakhsiyat, in which he would interview celebrities from all spheres of life while drawing their sketch. He was invited to work for NDTV's Gustakhi Maaf after that. Another show Itni Si Baat on Sahara Samay soon came up.
Irfan was selected to represent India in Tokyo in The Tenth Asian Cartoon Exhibition organized by Japan Foundation in 2005. He has held five solo cartoon exhibitions till date. He has come up with three cartoon collections, namely; Punchline, My Delhi and Kargil Kartoons. He has also contributed for NCERT, and his cartoons are a subject of study in High School.
Irfan was recently in news worldwide for his cartoon on the Former Chief Justice of India YK Sabharwal, for which he was held guilty on grounds of contempt of court and sentenced to four months' imprisonment. The issue brought the media around the world together in protest. The case is still pending in the Supreme Court of India.
