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Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Stalwart cartoonist who picked up his sketchpad ‘just for fun', turns 100
'What started as a fun activity went on to become my identity,' said SD Phadnis about his career as a cartoonist, ahead of his 100th birthday on Tuesday. 'However, as I kept working, I realised the power of political cartooning, which becomes the language of democracy. And when you draw cartoons for other subjects such as mathematics, science or banking, they turn into a language of knowledge.' Shivram Dattatreya Phadnis, popularly known as 'Shi da', is celebrated especially for work that graced the cover of many popular magazines. (HT) Shivram Dattatreya Phadnis, popularly known as 'Shi da', who was born on July 29, 1925, in Bhoj village, Belgaum district, is regarded a stalwart in the state, celebrated especially for work that graced the cover of many popular magazines. His work published sans captions often in the Diwali Ank, 'Mohini' known for its literary stance, broke new ground, proving that cartoons could be just as aesthetically pleasing and evocative as paintings, without the need of any descriptors. Phadnis was schooled in Kolhapur and graduated from the Sir J J School of Art in Mumbai – where he became fascinated by works of artists such as Mario Miranda and Vasant Sarwate – his contemporaries -- and American painter and illustrator Norman Rockwell. He first sent a cartoon spontaneously to 'Manohar', a magazine that used to publish fiction, while still a student, in 1945. It was published and put him on the path of bigger achievements. Encouraged, he started submitting comic strips to various publications – one of them, a literary magazine 'Hans', edited by Anant Antarkar. On Antarkar's suggestion, Phadnis created a full-page colour illustration that appeared on the cover of the June 1951 issue—marking the beginning of his journey into humorous, full-colour magazine covers. When Antarkar launched 'Mohini' in 1950, Phadnis became a key visual voice for the magazine for over five decades. His association with the publication remains one of the longest in Indian magazine history. He also worked with various magazines and publications, creating cartoons not just for humour, but also to illustrate serious issues such as science, law, banking, grammar and management. His political and social cartoons featured regularly in Marathi weeklies such as 'Manoos' and 'Sobat' between 1963 and 1975. Phadnis's signature style is rooted in figurative sketching, and his works stem from routine events of middle-class households, that highlight the challenges and joys of ordinary life through a playful and empathetic lens. He continues to be celebrated for his timeless contributions to the world of art and satire. Speaking about how cartoons and illustrations were received by the public—especially by politicians and political activists— the veteran cartoonist reflected, 'Maharashtra has always had a discerning and sensible readership. I did face criticism at times, but it was mostly constructive and communicated in a respectful manner. Even when my political cartoons were criticised, leaders and their followers were mature enough to understand that cartoons are also a legitimate form of expression.' He reminisced about a time when he presented a scenario where a political leader was addressing a gathering where two women seated in front discussed inflation. 'While it was criticised by a women's association, Bindu Madhavi Joshi, the editor of 'Grahakpeth', gave a fitting reply saying it was political satire and not defamatory to women,' said Phadnis. It's a far cry 'from the changing atmosphere of today, where both political leaders and their followers seem far less tolerant of political satire'. 'There is an increasing resistance to accept criticism, even when it's shared through humour. The openness of our time is fading,' he said. Speaking of changing times, how has he responded to the impact of technology on art? 'When I started drawing, everything was done by hand. Now, with the advancement of technology, people are creating art on iPads. I've even heard about Artificial Intelligence being used for drawing, and there's much talk of how technology might overshadow creativity. Technology may assist the process, but it can never replace true art. It can't express human emotions or the depth of feeling that comes from the heart. Ultimately, creativity is a deeply human quality, and we are far more advanced in that space than any machine can ever be.' Phadnis was married to Marathi author Shakuntala, who passed away around seven years ago, and the couple have two daughters. In his autobiography, 'Reshatan: Athavanincha Pravas' ('A journey down memory lane'), published in 2011, Phadnis has detailed his artistic journey of 60 years and his efforts to advocate cartoonists' rights.
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Stalwart cartoonist who picked up his sketchpad 'just for fun', turns 100
PUNE: 'What started as a fun activity went on to become my identity,' said S D Phadnis about his career as a cartoonist, ahead of his 100th birthday on Tuesday. 'However, as I kept working, I realised the power of political cartooning, which becomes the language of democracy. And when you draw cartoons for other subjects such as mathematics, science or banking, they turn into a language of knowledge.' Shivram Dattatreya Phadnis, who was born on July 29, 1925, in Bhoj village, Belgaum district Shivram Dattatreya Phadnis, popularly known as 'Shi da', who was born on July 29, 1925, in Bhoj village, Belgaum district, is regarded a stalwart in the state, celebrated especially for work that graced the cover of many popular magazines. His work published sans captions often in the Diwali Ank, 'Mohini' known for its literary stance, broke new ground, proving that cartoons could be just as aesthetically pleasing and evocative as paintings, without the need of any descriptors. Phadnis was schooled in Kolhapur and graduated from the Sir J J School of Art in Mumbai – where he became fascinated by works of artists such as Mario Miranda and Vasant Sarwate – his contemporaries -- and American painter and illustrator Norman Rockwell. He first sent a cartoon spontaneously to 'Manohar', a magazine that used to publish fiction, while still a student, in 1945. It was published and put him on the path of bigger achievements. Encouraged, he started submitting comic strips to various publications – one of them, a literary magazine 'Hans', edited by Anant Antarkar. On Antarkar's suggestion, Phadnis created a full-page colour illustration that appeared on the cover of the June 1951 issue—marking the beginning of his journey into humorous, full-colour magazine covers. When Antarkar launched 'Mohini' in 1950, Phadnis became a key visual voice for the magazine for over five decades. His association with the publication remains one of the longest in Indian magazine history. He also worked with various magazines and publications, creating cartoons not just for humour, but also to illustrate serious issues such as science, law, banking, grammar and management. His political and social cartoons featured regularly in Marathi weeklies such as 'Manoos' and 'Sobat' between 1963 and 1975. Phadnis's signature style is rooted in figurative sketching, and his works stem from routine events of middle-class households, that highlight the challenges and joys of ordinary life through a playful and empathetic lens. He continues to be celebrated for his timeless contributions to the world of art and satire. Speaking about how cartoons and illustrations were received by the public—especially by politicians and political activists— the veteran cartoonist reflected, 'Maharashtra has always had a discerning and sensible readership. I did face criticism at times, but it was mostly constructive and communicated in a respectful manner. Even when my political cartoons were criticized, leaders and their followers were mature enough to understand that cartoons are also a legitimate form of expression.' He reminisced about a time when he presented a scenario where a political leader was addressing a gathering where two women seated in front discussed inflation. 'While it was criticised by a women's association, Bindu Madhavi Joshi, the editor of 'Grahakpeth', gave a fitting reply saying it was political satire and not defamatory to women,' said Phadnis. It's a far cry 'from the changing atmosphere of today, where both political leaders and their followers seem far less tolerant of political satire'. 'There is an increasing resistance to accept criticism, even when it's shared through humour. The openness of our time is fading,' he said. Speaking of changing times, how has he responded to the impact of technology on art? 'When I started drawing, everything was done by hand. Now, with the advancement of technology, people are creating art on iPads. I've even heard about Artificial Intelligence being used for drawing, and there's much talk of how technology might overshadow creativity. Technology may assist the process, but it can never replace true art. It can't express human emotions or the depth of feeling that comes from the heart. Ultimately, creativity is a deeply human quality, and we are far more advanced in that space than any machine can ever be.' Phadnis was married to Marathi author Shakuntala, who passed away around seven years ago, and the couple have two daughters. In his autobiography, 'Reshatan: Athavanincha Pravas' ('A journey down memory lane'), published in 2011, Phadnis has detailed his artistic journey of 60 years and his efforts to advocate cartoonists' rights.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Captionless cartoonist SD Phadnis turns 100 on Tuesday, his lines & drawing bring out the humour
Pune: Caricatures are funny and their punchlines drip with wit but captionless cartoons, if they are S D Phadnis's, are a class apart. Popular as Shi Da, his caricatures that have maintained appeal for seven decades, stick to anatomical accuracy, an uncommon practice. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "I capture the distortions of thought and behaviour, not physical features," the man, who will turn a 100 years old on Tuesday, said. His appearance belies his age— a good posture and stride with a mind so sharp that it finds humour in everyday life, the eminent cartoonist is a whirlwind of energy. A three-day festival celebrating his life and works will be held at Balgandharva Rangmandir from July 27 to 29 by Vasundhara Club and Cartoonists Combine. Born in Bhoj, a small village in Belagavi, Phadnis schooled in Kolhapur before joining JJ School of Art in Mumbai. A senior advised him to study commercial art, and he could blend his passion for drawing with practical application in advertising. "The cartoons in Punch, The Saturday Evening Post and The London Opinion fascinated me. I started drawing cartoons and sending them to Marathi magazines. My first publication was in 1946 in Manohar magazine published by SV Kirloskar. I was still in college," Phadnis added. The turning point came when his cartoon was published on the cover of Mohini magazine in 1952 by famed editor Anant Antarkar. "It was a Diwali edition, and at a time when the cover would be a film star or women doing cultural things, Antarkar took a risk, and that paid off. Since then, the cover art for all editions of Mohini have been mine. This year will be the 74th edition," Phadnis said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After a brief stay in Kolhapur, he moved to Pune and has lived here for decades. His wife Shakuntala, an author, was his first critic, offering feedback on his drafts until she passed away. "I have been trained to think visually and not use words. Many people ask me about captionless cartoons. I do nothing different, nor is it a planned move. Lines and colours are my alphabet. Because there are no words, my cartoons can be exhibited anywhere, and understood too. My cartoon is my language," he added. Though he dabbled in political cartoons, Shi Da chose a more creative pursuit. His first exhibition was at Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai in 1965, followed by shows in the UK and the US. Despite admiring figures like Dinanath Dalal, S V Kirloskar, Mario Miranda, and Shankar, Shi Da held his own. Phadnis considers his work on mathematics textbooks his greatest challenge. From 1978 to 2010, he illustrated textbooks for Stds I to IV, using cartoons to make division and multiplication more accessible. This, he said, was a significant achievement in helping children grasp mathematics. He has steered clear of controversies, but the criticism that political cartoons now receive leaves him sad. "Criticism should be through words. Shankar would criticise Nehru, Ambedkar, and Gandhi and their policies but it drew no backlash from them or their admirers," he added. The easygoing cartoonist has embraced new technology though he believes it cannot replace artistic originality. "I don't know much about AI, but creativity cannot be replaced," he added. Phadnis is also a skilled mechanic and a carpenter. And the secret to his longevity? Daily yoga, a set routine, and stress-free living.
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Punjabi House was shot for three days with a different heroine before Mohini replaced her, reveals Neena Kurup: ‘They felt the first girl didn't have a Punjabi look'
Some movies never fail to tickle our funny bones and liven up our lives no matter what mood we are in. When it comes to Malayalam cinema, Punjabi House (1998) is one such film that remains the audience's most beloved comedy despite the passage of more than a quarter-century since its release. Although the industry has produced scores of comedies both before and after, it won't be an exaggeration to state that only a few works have managed to match Punjabi House, let alone surpass it. With immense rewatch value and humour that remains fresh even today, the film, crafted by screenwriter and director duo Rafi–Mecartin, remains close to Malayalees' hearts. Starring Dileep — accused of masterminding the sexual assault of a fellow actor in 2017 — as the male lead, the film features two heroines, actors Mohini and Jomol. Revolving around a young man, Unni (Dileep), who unintentionally fakes his death to escape lenders from whom he had borrowed a large sum of money, much of Punjabi House is set in the home of a Malayalam-speaking Punjabi family settled in Kerala, where Unni ends up. Pretending to be speech and hearing impaired, he assumes a new identity there to evade the eyes of creditors. Although his marriage was fixed to his cousin Sujatha (Jomol) back in his native village, at the Punjabi House, he falls for Pooja Kaur (Mohini), who is actually speech-impaired in life. And the movie follows their journey. Interestingly, both Mohini and Jomol received widespread acclaim for their performances, and Sujatha and Pooja became a turning point in their respective careers. However, did you know that Mohini wasn't the first choice for the character? In fact, the makers filmed various scenes with the initial heroine for three days before replacing the actor, feeling that her appearance did not resemble that of a Punjabi. This intriguing behind-the-scenes revelation was shared by actor Neena Kurup, who played Karishma Kaur, Pooja's cousin and best friend, in Punjabi House. In conversation with Milestone Makers, she said: 'Actually, Mohini was not the first heroine. Someone else played that role. They did it for about three days. That girl was replaced, saying she didn't have a Punjabi look. After a day's break, Mohini joined us. The decision was changed at the last minute.' Also starring Lal, Thilakan, Harisree Asokan, Cochin Haneefa, Janardhanan, NF Varghese and Indrans in key roles, Punjabi House is one of the most celebrated movies in the world of Malayalam memes, having contributed richly to pop culture, thanks to its one-liners and comedic situations. Besides becoming a blockbuster success, the movie was remade in Telugu as Maa Balaji (1999), Kannada as Punjabi House itself (2002) and in Hindi as Chup Chup Ke (2006). Starring Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Suniel Shetty and Neha Dhupia — reprising the roles originally played by Dileep, Mohini, Lal and Neena, respectively — Chup Chup Ke was helmed by Priyadarshan.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Time of India
Youth found hanging at GF's house, woman's family missing
Meerut: A 20-year-old man was found hanging at his girlfriend's house in Sambhal's Hayatnagar area on Friday. While the postmortem report confirms suicide, the circumstances surrounding the death have raised suspicions. Police said Saurabh Singh and Mohini, 20, both residents of Ambedkar Basti, had been in a relationship for the past two years and they worked at a local potato processing unit. Their families, however, opposed their relationship. Three days ago, a community meeting was held in which both the families and the couple agreed to end their relationship. However, after the meeting, Saurabh went missing and was later found hanging from a noose at Mohini's house. Meanwhile, Mohini's entire family, including her three brothers — Ram Khiladi, Ramveer, and Kamal —also disappeared. Based on the deceased's father's complaint, a case was registered against the woman's brothers for abetment to suicide under BNS section 108. Speaking to TOI, investigating officer Sanjeev Kumar Som said, "On Friday, Saurabh tried to meet the woman and entered her house, but no one was there. Mohini was sent away to stay at a distant relative's place, and this might have driven the youth to take the extreme step. We have ruled out any foul play. The body did not bear any signs of struggle."
