For years,cartoonist Suraj 'Eskay' Sriram's work was the voice of the powerless Indian "This book is dedicated to the common man of India,who keeps hoping for more,but keeps getting less." Between 1976 and 1984,there used to be an intrepid freelance cartoonist in Mumbai. Through his illustrations,he would point a humorous finger at the political tamasha of our country. And then,in 1985,came a migration to the US. After 20 years of absence,he returned to the country,warmly greeted by the irony that nothing has really changed. On Friday,April 29,Suraj 'Eskay' Sriram,cartoonist and self-confessed voice of the marginalised,launched his book,Indira Gandhi- The Final Chapter. Primarily a chronicle of Lady G's most tumultuous last years,the book is also an interesting collection of the etchings that made 'Eskay' a beloved cartoonist of his time. "Editorial cartoons no longer are given the kind of space they used to be," Eskay says. Since his return to India six years ago,he has been trying to re-establish himself. "I am not sure why political commentary through cartoons is not so popular anymore." However,he accepts that when it comes to Western media,the exposure is different. "The cartoons that attract opposition are the ones that see the light of the day and reach a wider audience. In India,I don't see much of that," he says. Expressing the concerns of the powerless Indian citizen was the pet motivation of Eskay's work. His political analysis went beyond leaders and parties,personalities and myths. "I would not call myself a cynic; when it came to talking about an issue,I always went by my gut feeling," says Eskay. The output of this feeling was picked up by leading magazines and newspapers in Mumbai and even attracted warnings against too much risk taking at some instances. "I am a pseudo-aam admi. I am a common man mentall; physically and financially I may be otherwise," he laughs. Eskay's shift to an American life featured freelancing in Massachusetts and Rhode Island,and also teaching at some schools and colleges. "I have never been to an art school,all that I have learned was self-generated. There are some techniques that only experience can teach you,and I am always happy to share" he says. In the preface to the book,Eskay observes that the current situation is as it was when he was around,just the main characters have changed. "What I had said 25 years ago is still valid. Even in Pune,I don't see a single charismatic leader around," he says.
