As we flip through the pages of Indian cartoon history, few names stand out like N Ponappa, a legend in the landscape of caricature. Carving a niche for himself through his unique cartoon style, Ponappa's journey from being an architect to becoming one of India’s renowned political cartoonists is an inspiring narrative of passion, talent, and steadfast determination.
Born in 1948 in Mangalore, N Ponappa laid the foundation of his career in the field of architecture. Gifted with a solid educational background, he graduated as an architect from Chennai and expanded his horizons by pursuing higher studies in Chicago. His work spanned across Chennai, Delhi, the US, and Africa, where he was engaged in the profession from 1970 to 1981. Upon returning to India, he spent over a decade working in Chennai under renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa.
His passion for sketching was a parallel thread running alongside his architectural pursuits, and it wasn’t long before the call of the cartoons became too loud to ignore. Listening to his heart, Ponappa traded his steady career in architecture for his love for cartoons. A unique example of an 'architect became cartoonist,' he returned to Bangalore in 1982, determined to make a mark as a full-time freelance cartoonist.
Ponappa's artistic genius found expression in his daily cartoons, 'Offside', a reflection of his witty sense of humour and keen observation of political undertones. His cartoons, regularly featured in The Times of India and Economic Times, quickly gained notoriety and his signature style came to define his work.
He predominantly focussed on the genre of political cartoons, further refining his craft and using his work as a conduit for conveying social messages and providing entertainment. His cartoons are a testament to his unique drawing style, clever use of language, satirical prowess, and carefully chosen subjects.
Ponappa's distinctly innovative and culturally relevant cartoon style garnered widespread recognition. Having served on the world jury of an international cartoon competition conducted in Hanover, he was awarded the first prize by the epd-Entwicklungspolitik publication at a competition in Frankfurt, commemorating half a century of India’s Independence.
His works have received prizes of excellence at cartooning competitions held in Korea and Romania. He was the illustrious recipient of the jury award at 2002's Kyoto International Cartoonist Conference for his impactful cartoon on ‘Remembering 9/11’. Closer to home, his contributions were honoured with the Karnataka State Rajyotsava Award in 2007.
In recognition of his contribution to the world of cartoons, Ponappa was voted as ‘Coorg Person of the Year’ in 2016 following an online poll conducted by www.coorgtourisminfo.com. His work has been published internationally, featuring in the International Business Times, the Penguin Book of Indian Cartoonists, and The Third World Book of Cartoonists, solidifying his status as one of India's top talents in cartooning.
Beyond his brilliant accomplishments and recognition, Ponappa is committed to nurturing the next generation of cartoonists. He conducts workshops aiming to encourage and foster fresh talent. His hobbies as diverse as his talent, range from drawing and music to photography and travelling. He stays connected to his roots, splitting his time between Pune, where he resides, and his hometown Coorg.
In the world of Indian political cartoons, N Ponappa’s legacy is indisputable. With his ink-stained fingers, sharp intellect, and insightful satire, he was an architect of change in a unique style that resonates even today. His journey is a testament to how an individual's dedication to their passion can shape a distinguished career. Here's to N Ponappa, the architect who built a world of meaning with the stroke of his cartoonist's pen.
