Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Dec 11: Kundapur, which has contributed a number of gifted cartoonists to the country, is now in the news again on account of cartoons. Some attribute it to the uniqueness of soil and surroundings, while some others claim that their talents got an opportunity to get honed, but it cannot be denied that some of the finest talents in the world of cartoons had blossomed from here.

The four-day cartoon festival which underwent at Kalamandir here on December 10, has exhibition of cartoons created by well-known cartoonists from the region, cartoon workshop, interaction with well-known cartoonists, caricature, Maya Kamath contest for girl students and some other competitions for students for schools and colleges as well as members of general public, unique selfie corner, cartoon books etc on offer.

The festival, organized with the stated objective of encouraging new age cartoonists, foment an interest in cartoons, and to provide youngsters an opportunity to interact with famous cartoonists, has emerged as a unique effort.

Cartoons created by various top cartoonists like Satish Acharya on display at the festival have been the centres of attraction. Each of the cartoons are sure to evoke a smile on the lips of the visitors. Dialogues accompanied by cartoons that have been displayed through mega cutouts have been attracting attention because of the slogans on avoiding accidents like 'let liquor not come between you and your vehicle', 'you alone are the eyes of your vehicles', 'fun for children, suffering for the pedestrians', 'chasing Yama is nothing but idiocy'.

A unique opportunity has been created at the festival for the cartoon lovers who are crazy about selfies. The visitors can stand in front of any one of the cartoons and click a selfie. This can be posted on the page of cartoon festival, and best selfie will get a prize.

List of programmes:

1. Exhibition of cartoons by people of Kundapur origin creating cartoons for well-known Indian publications and websites.
2. Cartoon workshop, Master Stroke - Discussions on the spot with famous cartoonists on a single subject of creation of cartoons.
3. On the spot caricature - For pooling funds for the schools, caricatures can be got done through famous cartoonists.
4. Cartoon contest for students - Competition for school and college students to draw cartoons on selected subjects.
5. Maya Kamath cartoon competition - for girl students from schools and colleges.
6. Doodling with doctors - Special opportunity for doctors from the area who are fond of cartoons to create cartoons.
7. Cartoon books - Kannada and English books on cartoons.
8. Competitions for general public - on writing dialogues for cartoons, drawing of caricatures etc which attract good prizes.
9. Selfie corner - unique selfie corner for either posting in social websites or personal collection.