On Friday, a host of Nepali cartoonists gathered at the Nepal Art Council to discuss the current trajectory of Nepali cartoons. The event, Nepali Caricature 2074, focused on the topic Caricature in Cartoon. The event also saw cartoonists—the likes of Avin Shrestha, Basu Kshitiz, Ashokman Singh and Jeevan Rajopadhaya—draw cartoons at the gathering. 

The event, designed as a workshop for practicing and upcoming cartoonists, will culminate in an exhibition later this week. 

Speaking at the event, Naradmani Hartamchhali, from Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, who inaugurated the event, said, “Cartoons have played a crucial role in bringing about change in the society, by interacting, wittily, with the public. In doing so, a piece of cartoon points out the wrongs in the system, satirises them and raises awareness about them. Cartoon has become an integral part of our social discourse.” 

Senior cartoonist Jeevan Rajopadhyay, speaking at the event, said: “Caricature plays an integral part in a cartoon. Cartoon is basically a painting with caricature.” 

Meanwhile, Avin Shrestha, chair of Cartoonists’ Club of Nepal, said, “The aspect of caricature in Nepali cartoons has been weak. A strong cartoon is one that maintains a fine balance between caricature and the subject matter.”