KATHMANDU:

They have made readers laugh and touched readers’ hearts at the same time. Political cartoonists know the best way to raise a serious issue with an underlying humour. With an aim to bring together these creators of one of the most powerful and loved parts of media, Himal Southasia organised the first cartoon congress of the region. The two-day event, which opened on November 14 at Yala Maya Kendra, included cartoonists from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Two cartoon exhibitions are also being held at the venue. ‘Toons in trying times: The best of Nepali satire’ showcases works of Nepali cartoonists like Durga Baral (Batsayan), Abin Shrestha, Basu Kshitij, Rabin Sayami and Rajech KC. Another — ‘The pea under the mattress: An Abu Retrospective’ — is a collection of cartoons by famous Indian cartoonist Attupurathu Mathew Abraham (Abu Abraham). This collection includes his works depicting the issues dominating South Asia from 1966-1988. One can see his audacity, insight and his excellent critical humour.

The event has also displayed the winners of Southasia Cartoon Competition on ‘Dramatic Divide: The distance between the Powerful and the Powerless’. Husejin Hanusic (‘Hule’) from Bosnia and Herzegovina won the first prize

while the second prize

went to Oktay Bingöl from Turkey and Jamal Rahmati from Iran.

The exhibitions will be on till November 22. — HNS