Bapu has left an indelible mark on the city’s canvas. The city fondly recollected its association with the revered cartoonist, painter and film director. For book lovers, it was time to recollect the logos designed by him for the annual book festival organised by Vijayawada Book Festival Society (VBFS) at Swaraj Maidan. In fact, the emblem of ‘Swathi’, a Telugu weekly and monthly published from the city, is also the work of the legendary artist.
“The cover page of inaugural issue of Swathi monthly had Bapu’s drawing. That painting is being used as an emblem now,” recalls Vemuri Balaram, editor of the magazine. He also said that for over 45 years, Bapu was contributing to the magazine.
Says VBFS president Ashok Kumar, of Ashok Book Centre: “He had a soft corner for the book lovers of Vijayawada. He designed logos for our festivals and even visited the stalls four or five times. His books had a prominent place both in the stands and in the hearts of the readers.”
Gandham, a close associate of Bapu, lamented that he could not release the book titled - ‘Bapu’ - with 5,000-odd paintings, drawings, cartoons, life sketches of the octogenarian. “The book was supposed to be released in A3 size, and Bapu carefully selected each drawing for the book. A revised edition of ‘Harivillu’ with 824 paintings and drawings is also on the cards.”
Bapu-Ramana Abhimana Sangham president Gadicherla Phani said that the death of Bapu was an immense loss to Telugu literature. “The creative world has lost a multi-talented personality,” he observed.
