Cartoonists take
liberties with individuals, authorities, situations, objects… twisting reality into
the delightful black & white visual cocktails which make us smile, laugh or think
every morning. I kicked off the discussion with a question on the land of the brave and
the free.
Q A repressive environment is considered a great breeding ground for humour. That
being the case why is there so much humour in the US, a typically free country?
A Humour in a repressive environment is a coping tactic. This sort of humour is passed
around with glee. It does not usually appear in the media unless it is an underground
publication. It targets the regime and bonds together the oppressed, even makes them
believe in the cause more strongly.
But if you look at the US, a free capitalist nation, the individual is under a different
set of pressures. The pressure to succeed in a competitive environment, at studies, at
work. Even fear of romantic rejection in the land that makes Hollywood movies. That
combined with a liberal society, and a multi-cultural population has led to some pretty
wacky humour being created there. The need for this humour is felt among the people, and
the few who could cater to this need took up the task, driven more by the need for profit
than to propagate a cause. "I can be funny, so why not be rich and famous?"
It is easier for these humorists because there is a set precedent to follow, and humour is
valued. This kind of humour is spread by the media, unlike the humour in repressed
environments.
Q Of the American humorists named here who do you think will still be remembered
25 years from now? Woody Allen, Erma Bombeck, Art Buchwald, Bing Crosby, Joseph Heller, JD
Salinger, and Ambrose Bierce.
A Woody Allen definitely, he's written a lot of humour, made movies, and even cartooned in
the old days. More people have easier access to him. In the US he's not 'niche' he is
'mainstream'. For people to buy you 25 years later you better have mass appeal.
(Writer's comment - you will agree if you consider that people still buy Elvis and the
Beatles, whereas the musical talents who had a small and dedicated following in the old
days are today, forgotten.)
Q When a humorist does work across various media (print, stage, movie, TV) do you
find similarities in the treatment and in content?
A Absolutely, the discerning eye can see that the humour comes from the same source. A
change of medium demands flexibility from the humorist, which may make the humour, on the
surface, appear different.
Q Is it true you support the use of specialized humour and cartoon editors in
newspapers?
A Yes, if you look at the fact that satirical pieces, cartoons, funny public service ads,
jokes and humourous quotes are being used today to check corrupt forces, and create
awareness, they definitely deserve the attention of a 'specialist' as opposed to a
'generalist'.
Q If pun is the lowest form of wit where does cartooning stand?
A I'm not sure if pun is really the lowest form of wit. Or if there is a vertical scale of
different kinds of humour. But cartooning borrows from satire, pun, literature, art,
quotations and much more to add meaning to its message. I wouldn't like to slot cartooning
somewhere on a scale.
Q How would you rate Indian political cartoonists against the best abroad?
A I find some of them lacking in the technical skills required to ensure a cartoon is
clear in meaning and in the printing. Some others lack the passion to go hammer and tongs
after an issue, they prefer to play safe.
Q If India has Sardarjis, the British have Scots, and the US have Blacks and
blondes, what does Pakistan have?
A I don't know if they have a parallel community to target. We Indians are probably the
closest thing they come to as being joke worthy. And even that is probably more political
than social.
Q How come a stand up comic act never took off in this Country?
A Too much competition from politicians.
Q If I asked you to name a favourite cartoonist?
A It's difficult to answer a question like that, it wouldn't be fair to so many great
talents. But if you insisted maybe George Booth, he is one of my favourites.
Q What single outstanding contribution has humour made to the world?
A It makes millions of small contributions to make life smoother. Everyday speeches,
presentations, personal interactions start with humour. And TV programmes, books,
magazines, movies all contain humour, as do newspapers and web portals. It definitely
provides relief from the daily grind.
Q How do you think the Internet will affect humour and cartooning?
A Easy access to the humour available worldwide is bound to influence a person's
involvement with the topic. Thanks to the Net there will be more humour even in other
media.
Q How would you define humour ?
A Humour is all around us. We can choose whether we want to see it or not. (Writer's
comment - to clarify that further for the reader, Ponnappa sees humour as a very
'individual' thing. Which could mean that 'one man's laugh is another man's yawn'.)
Q And if I asked you to define a sense of humour ?
A That would be the ability to laugh at oneself. Also knowing how to appreciate humour.
Q Should humour be taught in schools ?
A I think that's a brilliant idea. Humour inculcates a 'playfulness' of the mind which
leads to creativity.
Q Whom would you consider to be Indian humorists?
A I wonder if there are serious Indian writers (of English) dedicated to humour, like you
would find abroad. Ummm…..have you heard of Anjana Appachana? Her writing is funny.
Q The Indian public is familiar with American cartoonists and to some degree
British ones. What about the Australians?
A They are around and more than a little angry about their media using American and
British cartoonists, despite there being enough local talent. Why Pat Olliphant who owns
the strip 'Sunday Punk' is originally an Australian. He migrated to the US.
Q Which is your favourite funny movie?
A I don't know about funny, but 'One flew over the cuckoo's nest' is an all time favourite
of mine.
Q Your favourite book.
A Three Men In A Boat, and anything written by Jerome K. Jerome.
Q What do you think of the laughter clubs that gather in the parks at Indian
cities?
A That is the power of humour working at the grassroots level.
Q Why do psychiatrists look for a sense of humour in a patient as a sign of
normalcy?
A I suppose if you can laugh at yourself you'll survive. Hope the shrinks have a sense of
humour too.
Q Your favourite funny quote.
A Picasso said when questioned about his abstract style "I could draw like Da Vinci
when I was a child, it took me decades to learn to draw like a child again."
Q Most good creative people have a strong second interest. (Even Woody Allen plays
a jazz
instrument.) What is yours and why do you do it?
A I enjoy acting for the stage. Why? Well, there is a strong second talent that I can use.
Besides I have so much fun.
Q Do you think Indian politicians have a sense of humour?
A No they don't. When I have targeted non-politicians in my cartoons, some of them have
approached me for the 'original' of that cartoon. Strangely a politician has never done
that.
Q They say you can tell a man by his heroes…..
A I try not to hero worship. If I have heroes they are the masses of hardworking Indians
who do not see enough rewards for their efforts. |
