Born as Chander Shekhar Gurera in Moga, Punjab, he draws a niche for himself by creating daily pocket cartoons that provide a lucid commentary on India's evolving social and political trends.His visual narratives, rich with insights and humour, have been instrumental in shaping political discourse in India.
Gurera, born on 30 August 1965, embarked on his artistic journey at DAV College, Abohar, before he completed his degree in Science in 1986 from Multani Mal Modi College, Patiala. Breaking the mundane monotony, he shifted gears and pursued Applied Arts in College of Art, New Delhi in 1990, adding another feather to his prolific cap.
His knack for delineating insightful observations into cartoons was nurtured during his school days, committing his passion for sketching only as a hobby. However, in 1984, whilst pursuing his Science graduation, he started contributing to the Punjab Kesari as a freelancer. Gurera’s collaboration with the Punjab Kesari, one of India's leading Hindi newspapers, has been potent and significant. His artwork graces the paper and elucidates the political and social milieu with a sharp wit and incisive commentary. Gurera accentuates political critique through rich humour embedded in his ingenious illustrations, making his work a staple of the Punjab Kesari.
The tryst with cartooning soon metamorphosed and encompassed a broad array of impactful projects and creations. Gurera captured the courageous camaraderie of Indian soldiers during the Kargil conflict in a series of on-the-spot cartoons. These powerful depictions were later exhibited across India, including at The Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi, and sparked dialogues about the role of India's soldiers.
He embraced digital technology early on, seamlessly merging his traditional cartooning skills with cutting-edge digital tools. This adaptability has cemented his reputation as India's high-tech cartoonist, demonstrating his forward-thinking and innovative approach.
In the unique weekly feature, Gurera lets his artistic imagination run riot and adds a comical twist to time. Through digital paintings that mimic real photographs, Gurera depicts how celebrities from different fields would appear 30 years later.
NPC Calendar 05 & 16: Contributing to the National Productivity Council, Gurera created chain cartoons delineating multifarious modes of productivity. His sketchwork performed the dual function of entertainment and elucidation, making productivity concepts accessible to all.
Gurera has been a recurring exhibitor domestically and internationally, shown by his participation in the 3rd Asian Cartoon Exhibition at Tokyo, Japan in 1997, and New Delhi, India in 1998. The crowning jewel of his career was the solo exhibition held at the prestigious Indian Cartoon Gallery, Bangalore in 2017.
Crucially, in 2018, Gurera veered toward environmental concern, his illustration showcasing Conservation in Indian Living at the 8th Regional 3R (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse) Forum. He contributed by asserting the importance of sustainable practices in contemporary Indian life.
Apart from being an adept cartoonist, Gurera has also indulged in various literary ventures like travelogue articles, for instance, ‘Suryodaya Ki Dharati Japan Se’ which was published in Punjab Kesari.
A collection of cartoons called ‘Laugh as you Travel.’ (on the occasion of completing 150 years of Indian Railways a collection of 50 cartoons made by Kaak and Shekhar Gurera) and his solidarity-supporting cartoons ‘Je Suis Charlie’ after the attack on French satirical paper Charlie Hebdo, depict his deep concern and engagement with socio-political issues in India and globally.
Gurera’s talent and contributions have garnered him high recognitions, from being honoured by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Balram Jakhar when he was a mere student, to becoming a recipient of the illustrious Best Cartoonist Award in 1992. He represented India in the 3rd Asian Cartoon and Art Exhibition in 1997 and further added feather to his cap with the Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviya Memorial 7th Annual Award for Journalism in 2011. He was appointed the official cartoonist of the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram in 2018 and was honoured with "Icon of Haryana" under Haryana Garma Awards in 2019.
Shekhar Gurera is not just a cartoonist but a visual raconteur who conveys complex and critical socio-political issues with a benign stroke of the pen. His career is a testament to the power of satire in shaping public discourse and drawing attention to what usually gets lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
