Visitors at the cartoon exhibition in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, April 3: With just ink and paper, a team of cartoonists in the city have been able to stir people’s thoughts on a range of subjects.

Through colourful caricatures of politicians, funny expressions out of daily life and sarcastic illustrations of the citizens’ lack of civic sense, the works by amateur artists of altufaltu.com attracted a large number of people at a poster exhibition held in the city on Friday.

While some cartoons showed politicians queuing up to change their party to the one voted most popular, another demonstrated how famous yoga gurus and spiritual leaders are giving movie stars a run for their money. Most drawings showed interesting perspectives on social and civic issues in a humourous way.

“Cartoons have a great impact since a lot can be said in a funny way through caricatures or drawings,” said Soumya Dev, who heads Altufaltu. “Sadly, it is yet to get a boost in vernacular dailies or other forums in the state. The blend of imagery and punch lines of a cartoon definitely attracts the public and can be used to initiate a thought on important subjects,” added the amateur artist who is a software developer professionally. He has been managing the website since 2005.

The exhibition showcased works by amateur artists Sarasi Das and Annada Aparajita Parida. The annual event was organised for the fourth time by vernacular fortnightly magazine Samadrushti. “Cartoons can make you smile and also reflect and ridicule on issues. They communicate messages on important issues and are popular throughout the world. It is however, not as popular in Orissa,” said organiser Sudhir Patnaik.

Visitors to the exhibition included schoolchildren as well as elders. “I loved all the drawings, specially those that showed machines as humans,” said Mantu, a Class IV student.

“The drawings dealing with political issues are funny but have interesting thoughts behind them,” said Prabir Routray, a visitor.