Ponnappa is a name synonymous with cartooning, a name associated with his offbeat tongue-in-cheek humour which never fails to elicit a smile from his readers. In his tete-a-tete with us, he gives us glimpses into the serious business of laughing at life

As a cartoonist, what's your perspective of life?
Asan artist and a cartoonist, I would certainly say that my perspective is slightly different from that of others. I tend to look at things a little more closely, accepting nothing passively at face value. Also, I feel that each cartoonist has a way of assessing life, which is oblique and miles away from the run-of-the-mill attitude.

Would you term cartooning as an innate talent, or is it something that one could imbibe through observation?
Well, the skill or the art of cartooning could be honed through practice. With guidance our abilities could be fine tuned, but it is imperative that there is the presence of that 'indefinable spark'. No one can claim to teach us the elusive art of 'translating the humor of thought onto paper', which is such an integral part of evolving as a perceptive cartoonist.

How did you make your foray into cartooning, especially when it was in its relatively nascent stage?
There have been no radical changes in the scenario in terms of training institutes devoted to cartooning, and so those who want to enter this field have to still take the path less trodden. Speaking for myself, I have always been passionately interested in cartoons from early childhood. The popular cartoon strips like 'Phantom', 'Dennis the menace', and 'Mandrake the magician' were all a part of growing up. Charles Schultz in particular had an impact on me with his innovative spirit. I have always had an inquiring mind and an insatiable urge to express my feeling through this medium.

Are there vastly different types of cartoons? Do you have any personal inclinations towards any particular style?
Yes, cartoons can be divided into endless number of classes. It could be political, a genre we are all familiar with, or social in its context. Cartooning is essentially a very subjective experience. We all assess a cartoon from our individual standpoints, so any given cartoon could very well elicit a whole range of diverse emotions. Our definitions all vary and thus it is very difficult to categorize cartoons. A cartoon could arouse our anger, laughter, empathy, or be multi-layered in its appeal. I personally enjoy drawing cartoons across all genres, though my focus is political in my line of work. I derive a lot of pleasure from drawing to convey social messages or for sole entertainment through 'comic strips' we all love.

What kind of response do your exhibitions generate?
The displays of my artworks are well received, and like artists the world over, it is highly elevating to receive feedback from people, be it in the form of letters, or personal recollections of cartoons I have done in the past. Recently, I was called upon to be part of the jury at an exhibition of cartoonists across the globe in Germany. It was quite uplifting to see the coming together of talent on such a scale. An exhibition of such a sort reflects the cross cultural influences that enriches each one of us.

Could you tell us more about the workshops that you conduct for cartooning?
The workshop on cartooning spans three days; it usually takes place once a year, and comprises around 20 people who are genuinely interested in cartooning. Essentially, the only
pre-requisite to the workshop is that they should have a passion for cartooning, and they should be reasonably good artists. During the course of the 3-day workshop, I proceed to impart knowledge about the various techniques of cartooning, tips, etc. Also, I recount personal experiences and anecdotes that give them an insight to the profession of cartooning. Thus, I try to contribute to increasing awareness, and provide some much-needed guidance regarding this field. The workshops are usually a collaborative effort, with agencies like 'Madhyam', ' Max Mueller Bhavan' 'Alliance Francaise' all joining forces.

What led to the conception of the Indian Institute for Cartoonists, IIC?
I strongly felt that India was more than ready for an institute of this kind at the national level. Though there are a few institutes at the Regional level, this provides a common platform for talent from across the country to come together to work towards a common mission. Also, Bangalore is home to some of the best cartooning talent, and it is quite wonderful to have such a body here.

Could you comment upon the status that cartooning enjoys on a professional level in our country?
(Emphatically) It is quite painful. This frank appraisal is just a reflection of a truth that is very evident, that there is a lack of high remuneration in this field. This is enough to deter quite a few talented youngsters who would ordinarily have taken it up on a full time basis. But the key to success lies in pursuing it in spite of all the odds, and I would encourage everyone to follow their dreams zealously. (His words and accomplishments are a constant source of inspiration to a lot of people who share his zest and love for cartoons.)

What triggers your thought processes and gets your creative juices flowing?
The cartoons that we see are only the tip of the iceberg; there is a lot of thought that goes before the actual execution of each piece. A cartoonist needs to be completely aware of the happenings around him, and finely tuned to detect the slightest changes in nuances, which might not be evident immediately. I choose my subject matter with care, after thorough perusal of newspapers, and a host of other stimuli we receive through media sources. This requires me to have my finger on the pulse of events, in a manner of speaking. When I decide upon the exact message to be conveyed, I sort out the finer details of the characters, whether the cartoon would contain words, or would be pictorial. The final stage would see me embellishing the cartoon and inking it onto paper.

What is your signature style?
Well, over the years I have developed a style that people have come to associate with me. This is complex and comprises drawing style, use of language, satire, choice of subject, etc. Well, it is my constant effort to reach out to each individual who sees my cartoons and elicit a reaction. I like experimenting with styles; at times I might draw an immediate laugh, or at times, the humour might be subtle and understated. It is creatively very challenging to constantly innovate and produce a piece that is set apart from all the other pieces. It is also stimulating to make the most impact by sheer brilliance of presentation, though essentially the same issues confront us all. Also, I try to imprint each cartoon with the stamp of a personal frame of reference. If I am able to voice the concerns that we face collectively and bring about changes in mass psyche, it is a distinct advantage, and provides immense satisfaction to the artist in me.