An Anthropological Study of Cartoons in India/K.N. Sahay. 1998, xvii, 304 p., ill., $63. ISBN 81-7169-516-7.
Contents: Introduction. 1. The cartoon and its brief general history. 2. Indian cartoons. 3. The cartoonists under study. 4. The cartoons and their basic aspects. 5. How the cartoonist works? 6. Analysis and interpretation of the cartoons. 7. The symbols of cartoons and explanations. 8. Underlying meaning of cartoons and communication. Summary and conclusion. Notes. References cited.
"A cartoonist sketches comic or satirical picture and his vehicle of expression is drawing rather than words. A good cartoon conveys more than written words. 'He should have the knack of drawing topsy-turvy situations to achieve the effect'. Laxman says that 'cartooning is the art of disapproval and complaint and it treats men and matter with a certain healthy scepticism and good humoured ridicule, but never malice'. A cartoon relates to different sectors of life; political, social, cultural and others. Many people consider a cartoon as 'fun', but the sobre people think that it has 'silent message' which is important.
This study deals with 240 cartoons, 144 of them are of Moni, the Chief Cartoonist of 'Ranchi Express' and there are other 96 cartoons from 38 different cartoonists. The cartoons have been classified into 13 meaningful themes and they emerge under three significant groups of points; factual, analytical and communicational.
This study deals with eight chapters some of which are brief general history, Indian cartoons, interpretation of cartoons, symbols of cartoons, and communications.
It is the first ever anthropological or sociological study of cartoons written in India."