The recently published middle piece in Deccan Herald about Mr Citizen and his creator Mr Ramamurthy took me on a nostalgic journey. Just out of college, I had the privilege of working for the same organisation as Mr Ramamurthy.  This newspaper being a regular companion, Mr Citizen also became a good habit.

A colleague pointed out to him and revealed his identity. I stood transfixed and sure must have looked like a frozen gold fish. He sensed the confused admiration and asked, “Has the cat got your tongue?” I must have nodded gleefully to that too.

From then on I would  look forward to his arrival being sure that I could have a word with this wonderful artist. Day one: I said “Good morning, Sir.” To which he grumbled, “What is good about the morning?” Day two: “Morning Sir”. He said, “ I dont need to be told that. I know it is morning.” Day three: I just smiled. He stopped by me, patted his brown sweater distractedly, “So, now you think that a senior person like me does not deserve a greeting?” I became so flustered that I could feel my contact lens going adrift within the limited pools. Mr Murthy lost neither his cool nor his sense of humour, he guffawed loudly and assured me that it was his way of studying new people, no offence meant. That is when I understood what “artistic licence” meant.

Among the scintillating pieces that he created (the one I remember very well) and that is so relevant for this season is the front page cartoon after Ganesha Chaturthi. The adorable baby Ganesha was shown clinging to a branch of a tree, while the area was flooded and had swirling waves everywhere. Last week, we had the repeat  performance by God Varuna, only if Mr Ramamurthy were around he would have put Ganesha in a coracle on Hosur road!

I wonder if there is ever a possibility of his cartoons being published as a collectors item? Wouldn't that be a citizen’s privilege ?