Journalism of Courage
Theres art that can surprise one with its creativity. Theres art that can leave one bewitched by its beauty. There are artworks that can penetrate ones thoughts and linger on long after. And then theres art that can simply make you smile. And bringing that wide curve on someones face is a caricature artists primary goal.
Stand-up comedy and other forms of entertainment are fleeting. Their effects are temporary. But caricatures remain with you,reminding you of that moment spent with loved ones,of the jokes shared,the random conversations , says Prashant Sinha,who started with caricatures in 2006. Today,Sinha has his own company and is a freelance artist. I even travel to Mumbai,Goa,Bengaluru and Delhi to do caricatures at events and parties. The trend is really catching on and the caricature is an ideal take-away gift for guests, he says.
Caricatures are exaggerated representations of peoples characteristics. And it is in capturing the subtle personality traits and translating them on paper that the artists mastery lies. Caricature artist Arun Suryawanshi,who is also an illustrator,animator and graphic designer,says,I have been doing this for the last 15 years. When people give me their pictures for caricatures,I try and grasp their attitude and personality as that is what is reflected on paper, he explains. Suryawanshi is fairly new to the city and he started his career in Mumbai. Caricature art was a subject in college and I would often practice it with friends. Thats how I developed my talent and perfected the art, he reveals.
All three artists were drawn to this funny form of art when they were in school or college. Shinde adds,It is a skill to engage people in conversation and observe their mannerisms. And while it makes customers smile,it also helps us live the lighter side of life. Ask them if live caricatures are easier than studio caricatures,and Sinha says,While live caricatures help you study the person better,studio caricatures have their own advantages. One,you can go beyond just pencil sketching and use colours and even black ink. Studio caricatures are more refined.
