FINISHING LINES
An Autobiography of Cartoonist Yesudasan

Translated by
AMBIKA CHANDRA KUMAR

“Wonderful to learn that the English autobiography of leading cartoonist Yesudasan is being released. Cartoonists offer a true mirror to society and have been an integral part of India’s media universe. It is likes of Yesudasan who preserved this great Indian tradition of cartooning that will inspire many.”

-Rajdeep Sardesai

“A cartoonist’s eye is like a thermometer: it tells us how well we are as a society. How open, free, self aware. Yesudasan’s wonderful work was a crucial diagnostic and this book captures the shaping of his worldview.”

-Shoma Chaudhury

“Happy to launch the cover of late Cartoonist Yesudasan’s autobiography in English, Finishing Lines. His cartoons visually recorded the times he lived in & brilliantly reflected his views on the political history of Kerala.”

-Shashi Tharoor

Preface

The Unfinished Autobiography

I have heard about ‘songs that ceased to exist without the singer’s knowledge.’ This was exactly what happened in the case of Cartoonist Yesudasan. He passed away in the early hours of October 6, 2021, just as he was about to be transferred to another room after being declared COVID-negative.

My father had already authored two books with autobiographical elements, named ‘9- Purana Quila Road’ and ‘Thaazhekkirangiya Zha’ (The letter Zha that is on a descent). So, I asked him in 2019 why he needed to write another autobiography. Despite his declining health, Papa, who continued to draw until the last vestige of wisdom left him, replied that he wanted to compile a story of his life, including all the betrayals, criticism, and petty jealousies he had encountered as well as the accolades and appreciation he had received.

I reached Delhi on March 19, 2019. Papa could no longer write continuously due to his advancing age. So, he opened up his treasure chest of memories of seven decades that encompassed his eighty-three years of life. He recounted these gems to me over the phone for the next two and a half years.

I recorded every bit of it like a story unfolding on the silver screen, though there was some confusion regarding the dates and names of some people. Some chapters were written with the help of bosom friends like Joshi George, Mathew Sankarathil, and Premjit Kayamkulam.

I insisted that the autobiography be released in 2019. However, due to his delicate health, some chapters were delayed and remained incomplete.

Like Ganagandharvan, Papa was one of those very few fortunate people who could experience death while still alive! Ever since he broke his collarbone in the 1980s, just before the publication of the magazine ‘Cut-Cut’ and was admitted to the hospital, I have always had fears of his death. Later on, whenever he was hospitalised, I was haunted by the fear that he was going to follow his brothers, who didn’t live to see their 50th birthdays. Again, I saw death close at hand when he underwent cardiac surgery in 2005. After that, for years, I was never burdened by that fear. Celebrations like 50 years in cartooning, Sapthathi (70th birthday), the launching of the website, and the release of the documentary ‘The Leader’, followed by three book releases in 2008, encouraged me to let my guard down. During this period, Kerala Media Academy made a short film on him, and he was honoured with the Swadeshabhimani Kesari Award.

But despite remaining confined to his home for two years, COVID-19 did extend its tendrils to him. All our hopes for a recovery were snuffed out, and one early morning he was carried off by the goddess of death.

Since he had been sharing his dream of an autobiography with me for the last three years, I took the initiative to make it come true. Shri Siddique Ahmed (Pusthakakada-Eram Group), who was always there to support me, was ready to publish the autobiography without considering the monetary aspects of the book. I am indebted to him for that. I am grateful to Binsi (Pusthakakada) and Ajeesh Chandran for making the book a reality.

Many of the photos handed over to me for inclusion in the book did not have any captions, as I do not recognise most of the people in them. So, the collection of photos remains incomplete. I hope I have included photos covering his association with Janayugam, Shanker’s Weekly, Balayugam, Asadhu, Cut-Cut, Malayala Manorama, and Deshabhimani.

While reminiscing about the cartoonists, journalists, and colleagues he had walked with, he had aired his grievances with some of them. My apologies if they hurt anyone.

He concluded his autobiography after telling the stories behind the tears of Rajan’s father, Eechara Warrier, and the cartoon Agniputhri. By baring his soul, he performed an act of penance, a purification.

For the Malayalam version, artists K. P. Muraleedharan and Subhash Kalloor drew the picture for the cover page. But since he was denied the time to choose between the two, I retained both in the book. I am grateful to both artists. I am thankful to the then Vice-President of India, Shri Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister, Shri V. Muralidharan, and His Holiness Baseliso Marthoma Mathews III, who sent their greetings. The cover page for the English version was designed by the design team of The Alcove Publishers.

Papa asked his long-time friend, film actor Mammootty, if he could include the speech he delivered at the launch of the book, ‘9 – Purana Quila Road’, in the autobiography. Mammootty readily agreed and suggested restarting ‘Asadhu’ and ‘Cut-Cut’ through online portals. I thank Mammootty for this.

Many titles were considered for the autobiography, like ‘Kadha Ithuvare’ (The Story So Far), etc, for the Malayalam version. But, finally, ‘Oru Vattam Koodiyen Ormakal Meyunna’ was chosen, from a poem written by his friend, Shri. O.N.V. Kurup for Papa’s weekly ‘Mambazham. I express my gratitude to Shri. Rajeev O.N.V. for granting permission to use this title.

I have also included about ten obituaries that appeared in newspapers the day after his death, and am thankful to all who allowed me to do so.

In the chapter ‘Unforgettable Persons’, destiny permitted him to mention only 15 persons. There are countless others to whom I should be obliged. I am indebted to the three masters who influenced his artistic career over 65 years-Cartoonist Shankar, Shri. Kambissery Karunakaran, and Shri. K. M. Mathew. Apart from these three, I express my gratitude to the editors, colleagues, his friends from the socio-political and cultural fields, other cartoonists, and others such as Shri. Madhu, who wrote the introduction to the books, Shri. Prakash Karat, Shri. A.K. Antony, Shri. Jiji Thompson IAS, Shri. Thomas Jacob, Shri. Mammen Mathew and Shri. Shankaranarayanan.

I am grateful to everyone who stood with Papa at the Lalithakala, Sahithyakala, and Cartoon Academies and to ministers like Shri. T. M. Jacob, Shri. T. K. Ramakrishnan, and Shri. A.P. Anilkumar, who held the portfolio of Cultural Affairs.

I am deeply indebted to all the religious heads, his friends from various walks of life, who bid a royal adieu to Papa and to those who had sent messages and shared kind words on social platforms.

As the Vice President reminded in his message, let this autobiography serve as a guide to future cartoonists.

Let me conclude with the translation of a few lines by P. I. Shankaranarayanan.

‘All who are born into the world

Are destined to die one day.

Then why waste your time on mourning?

As long as you live, live ethically.’

Please accept the autobiography.

Sanu Yesudas