Finally, the State is paying tribute to the famous cartoonist Shankar.
Work on a museum in memory of the country’s best known and most revered political cartoonist is in its final stages at his birthplace near Krishnapuram in Kayamkulam.
Kerala Lalithakala Akademi is behind the ambitious initiative with an estimated initial cost of Rs. 3. 5 crore and spread over 15, 000 sq.ft.
Akademi Chairman K.A. Francis said on Saturday that the official inauguration is likely to be held in September. He said that the museum will showcase the original cartoons of the nation’s popular cartoonists.
Minister for Culture K. C. Joseph and Mr. Francis had recently visited the popular international museum for dolls set up by Shankar (Shankar Pillai) in New Delhi. The museum has showcased thousands of dolls gifted by various personalities since its launch in 1965.
Mr. Francis said the family members of Shankar had agreed to contribute select original works of the cartoonist to the museum coming up at Kayamkulam.
We will also display the original paintings drawn by children from various countries who had participated in the popular painting competition started by Shankar in 1952. The government had also requested the family members to gift a pen from his personal collection and photographs of the famous cartoonist for display at the new museum, he said.
Akademi Chairman said C. K. Sadasivan, Kayamkulam MLA, will spearhead the expansion plan of the nearly four-acre campus on which the museum was located. As Shankar had a special love for children, we would like to convert the site in to one of the most sought after recreation space for children, he said.
Mr. Francis also pointed out that National Museum had also agreed to support the Shankar memorial museum at Kayamkulam.
