Abu Abraham was born on June 11, 1924, and his career as a cartoonist progressed alongside India’s as a nation. Having worked with foreign and Indian publications during a career that spanned six decades, Abu was uniquely placed to chronicle events as they unfolded in a world that was rebuilding itself post colonialism.
“Since this is the centenary year of his birth, we thought it would be great to bring his cartoons out again — to be revisited by people who knew him and serve as an introduction to those who didn’t,” says Ayisha Abraham, his Bengaluru-based daughter who curated the show.
“I have been housing his work ever since he passed away in 2002. Abu kept everything that he drew, including the rough drafts and would insist editors return his sketches after they were published. He knew the value of original artwork.”
The rough draft of an illustration by Abu Abraham | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“Though we have done exhibitions in the past, this one is unique because we will be displaying a lot of work that has not been seen previously, especially those from the early years. It also traces his evolution as an artist and as a person. Viewers can also see the corrections he has made on his drafts,” she adds.
The exhibition has both a personal voice and a national one with historian Janaki Nair penning texts about the socio-political climate of the time. “He always donned the hat of a journalist, but his tool and his word of communication was his drawings,” says Ayisha.
“He sketched all the prominent people of his time. It was an era when political cartoons played an important role in newspapers, by making a comment which was a visual analysis of sorts which could be accessed by more people.”
An illustration by Abu Abraham | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
While a photograph captures a fleeting moment for posterity, an illustration not only depicts an expression, but also its underlying sentiment. Abu was an avid reader and traveller, who could capture the petulance of the leader or their smugness or stubborness with clean strokes of his pen.
“He had a tremendous sense of observation and off the cuff, he would be standing there, drawing and getting it right. He followed all the major figures of his time and had a deep understanding of political values. He used his privileges both as a journalist and as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha to reproduce what he saw transpire around him. His was not a gaze from afar, but one embedded in that reality,” adds Ayisha.
According to Ayisha, Abu had a strong sense of being Indian. Though he left Kerala at the age of 17, his life was shaped growing up there and he eventually returned, spending his latter years in Thiruvananthapuram.
An illustration by Abu Abraham | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“He sketched everyday — not just people, but marketplaces and landscapes too — always in black and white, never colour. Abu worked with a pentel pen on paper, later tracing a final version on translucent paper using India ink and a Chinese brush. Even in the latter part of his life, he would write at least one column a week as a political commentator.”
Ayisha began working towards this show in November last year, shortlisting sketches from a huge body of work specific to each state, apart from those with a national interest. With over 100 works on display, the show will also include his columns, notebooks and sketchbooks. She says plans are underway to immortalise his illustrations in a book.
Abu’s World which has already been to Kochi and Kolkata, goes to Delhi in November. The show will be on display at BIC from August 23 to 26. Entry is free.
An illustration by Abu Abraham | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
