Cartoonist Sukumar, who used his humour equally well on the paper and on the stage, passed away in Kochi on Saturday. He was 91.
One of the earliest figures in a long lineage of Malayalis making their mark in the world of cartoons, he has been known for his political cartoons filled with sharp critiques of the major leaders during his heydays. As someone who also spread laughter from stages across the State, one of the most memorable events in his life was the 12-hour laughter yajna that he led in 2012, which entered the Guinness Book of Records.
Born in 1932 at Attingal in the capital, Sukumar did not have any formal training in cartooning. His interest in cartoons was kindled by constantly following the political cartoons of K.S. Pillai, who used to draw cartoons both in Desabandhu and Malayala Manorama. His first cartoon appeared in a magazine when he was just 18 years old. After higher studies at University College here, he joined the Police department in 1957. He served in the department for three decades and retired as an administrative assistant.
