Cartoon Gallery gets Miranda's priceless originals
True to that definitive, porous nature of his works, cartoonist Mario Miranda’s original works will now don the archives of the Indian Institute of Cartoonists (IIC) here. They will be on show at the Institute’s Gallery on MG Road next month.
Mario donated more than 75 of his priceless original cartoons to the Gallery, including 60 pocket cartoons and 15 political art works of humour. The exhibition is expected to add depth and realism to the forthcoming show, the dates for which are still being worked out by the Institute.
The Institute has also proposed to set up a Dolls Museum of Mario’s cartoon characters in the City. IIC is currently looking for sponsors, according to its president, V G Narendra. IIC has also scheduled a condolence meeting in memory of the late cartoonist at the Gallery on December 17 at 4 pm.
Mario was the inspiration to start the Institute, exclusively devoted to cartooning, in Bangalore. Recalls Narendra: ”Mario was a Director for Titan Quartz and he used to visit Bangalore frequently to attend the Board Meetings. He used to meet me at the Titan Guest House to discuss the state of cartooning in India and about improving it.
That was the beginning of IIC. When we formed the IIC Trust, we requested him to be the chief patron and he readily agreed, which was a great asset for us.” While Mario also wanted to donate his books to the IIC, the Institute is serious about the Dolls Museum. “I have seen such Dolls at the Air India's office in Mumbai. I had also informed him much earlier about the plan. He was very happy,” says Narendra.