O V Vijayan's cartoons and notes released

New Delhi, June 10 : Selected cartoons of political cartoonist and commentator O V Vijayan and his unique comments on India in English have been brought out in a book, ''Tragic Idiom''.

Well known poet and former secretary of the Sahitya Akademi K Satchidanandan released the book by presenting it to former diplomat A K Damodaran at a function here last night.

Mr Vinod Mehta, Editor, Outlook, in his presidential address described Vijayan as a revolutionary cartoonist who inspired thinking process instead of triggering off laughter.He lamented that cartoons are disappearing from the front pages of Indian newspapers.

The only ones left are pocket cartoons meant for humour or laughter.

Vijayan had stopped drawing cartoons when he was fed up with corruption in public life and the prominence attained by comedians in politics, Mr Mehta said.

Prof Satchidanandan narrated the unique features of Vijayan's writings in English and Malayalam. Vijayan stirred the conscience of people through his realistic interpretations of the third world, he said.

Vijayan's novel ''Khassakhinte Itihasam'' was a landmark in Malayalam literature and it has a place along with ''Adhyatma Ramayanam'' of Ezhuthachan and ''Ramanan'' of Changampuzha Krishna Pillai, he said.

Dr Nancy Hudson Rodd from Australia said Vijayan's cartoons were lessons in contemporary social history. Through his cartoons Vijayan had tried to unravel truth, she said.

Mr A K Damodaran, Prof Omcherry N N Pillai, Mr D Vijayamohan and Mr Ravi Deecee, publisher of the book, also addressed the gathering recalling the unique features of Vijayan's writings and cartoons.All of Vijayan's books have been published by DC Books, Kottayam.

The book is edited by Dr Nancy Hudson Rodd and Mr Sunder Ramanathaiyer.The foreword is written by Australian cartoonist and animator Bruce Petty.

UNI