We’re still coming to terms with the death of cartoonist C. J. Yesudasan at the age of 83. He was undergoing treatment for COVID-19, but unfortunately, succumbed to the virus even though he tested negative. Yesudasan may have left us with a heavy heart, but his cartoons will always be cherished. Some of us look forward to his political cartoons in newspapers and magazines because he sure knew how to crack a good joke.
A Little Bit About C. J. Yesudasan and His Life
C. J. Yesudasan was born in on June 12,1938 in Kerala’s Mavelikkara. He is survived by his wife and three sons. Apart from cartooning, he has written three books — ‘Aniyara’, ‘Pradhama Dhrusti’ and ‘Post Mortem’.
In 1995, a well-known magazine in Kottayam called ‘Asoka’ had published his first cartoon. But, he found a name for himself in political cartooning through ‘Janayugam’ in 1960. Janayugam is the official organ of the Communist Party of India in Kerala. He had a cartoon column where he experimented with political satires through a character called Kittumman.
Three years later, he got an opportunity to work under the famous cartoonist Shankar. He later went on to become the editor of ‘Balayugam’ and started ‘Asadhu’, ‘Cut-Cut’, ‘Tuk-Tuk’ and ‘Sadhu’. But, Yesudasan spent most of his time in Malayala Manorama where he spent two decades of his life cartooning for them.
Some Of His Old, Well-known Works
Published on India’s Republic Day: January 26, 1971
Rajiv Gandhi’s visit to China: The Week, January 01, 1989
“Ningalenne Oru Divasam Thetti Communistakki”: Malayala Manorama 2001
“Lenin and the Farmer”: Malayala Manorama
Antony Karunakaran War (Malayala Manorama)
Nayanar-Karunakaran at Hospital (Malayala Manorama, May 14, 1990)
Sadhu Magazine Cover (May 1991)
Nayanar and Martyrs (Malayala Manorama, November 1991)
Advani’s Resignation (Malayala Manorama, June 2005)
On September 27, 2008, Yesudasan resigned from the Malayala Manorama after a service of 23 years. This was the last cartoon he made for the daily.
