Cartoonist P.V. Krishnan passes away in Keralam

Cartoonist P.V. Krishnan (right) draws a cartoon at a protest site in front of the Secretariat on November 7, 2017. (File photo)

Cartoonist P.V. Krishnan, known for his sharp socio-political satire, passed away at his home in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. He was 83.

Mr. Krishnan is best known for his popular cartoon series ‘Sakshi’ (Witness), which appeared in the Kumkumam weekly for over four decades starting 1977.

Born in Kannur district, he began his career as an art teacher, before he was hired as a designer in the State government’s Public Relations department (PRD) in 1976. The job provided him a ringside view of Keralam’s political sphere and the many key political figures. Even as he worked as part of the government, he continued to raise questions through his cartoons which used minimal lines to convey deeper ideas.

Some of his cartoons have appeared in leading Makayalam dailies. During his tenure with the PRD, his designs were part of many major campaigns such as the people’s plan campaign as well as anti-drug campaigns. One of his most remembered cartoons is ‘Prakrithiyude Kanneer’, through which he conveyed environmental concerns during the protests to protect Silent Valley.

Condoling his death, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said that Mr. Krishnan’s artistic brilliance and sharp journalistic wit left an indelible mark on Keralam.

“Through his iconic 40-year cartoon series ‘Sakshi’ and his impactful early work on the front page of Mathrubhumi, he brilliantly captured the pulse of our society. Serving as a designer in the Public Relations department handled by former Chief Ministers K. Karunakaran, E.K. Nayanar, and A.K. Antony, he held a unique, close-up vantage point of our State’s political history without ever sparing them from his brush,” said Mr. Satheesan.

The Kerala Cartoon Academy’s Fellowship was awarded to him in 2007. He was chosen for the Cartoonist KS Pillai Award in 2009.