Manmohan Singh or ‘Man Mouna Singh’, a single caricature explains deftly how the country and its common man are being robbed by the ministers under Prime Minister while he maintains silence. It is through these cartoons, the cartoonist brother duo Aswini- Abani try to strike a chord with the masses and create awareness on various social issues.Aswini Rath, a Botany lecturer and Abani Rath an insurance sector officer have created a niche for themselves in the field of cartoon and caricature drawing with 60 international exhibitions and numerous exhibitions at the national level under their belt. Their first cartoon was published in 1989.They have come a long way since then.Claiming to be the only cartoonist brother duo, Aswini-Abani have approached the Guinness Book of World Records for the distinction. Even though they have not been given the recognition, their claim has not been discounted either.The reason why they call themselves cartoonist brother duo is that if one starts a caricature, the other completes it. They both get involved in the ideation process as well the creation of the cartoon. Their cartoons have been published in almost all the Odia dailies and some major English dailies as well.A little disheartened over the lack of acknowledgment for cartoonists in the State, they have decided to take things on themselves, trying to promote and encourage more and more people to join the cartoonist bandwagon.During their various trips inside India and out, they could see cartoonists elsewhere getting their due credit. Both felt disheartened when their cartoons were appreciated in countries like Brazil, Romania, South Korea, but were yet to be recognised in their home State.Like the old adage that a picture speaks a thousand words, Aswini says at times a cartoon can be a better medium to express complex social issues. “When it comes to meaningful outpourings of the intellect, no expression can perhaps beat the stark lines of a cartoon,” he says.They have now started working on a project that will train children in the art of making cartoons. “We will move throughout Odisha to impart the training.We also hope to set up an institute similar to Indian Institute of Cartoonists in Odisha. But without government support, taking on such a huge project is almost impossible,” adds Abani.With the dream to bring about a change in the society, however insignificant that might be, this cartoonist brother duo keeps sketching and creating new master pieces every day.They have won several awards including the grand prize in the International Net Cartoon Contest on Oil, France, in 2010. Their name came in for special mention at the 2nd Free Cartoons Web International Cartoon Festival, 2003, in China and the 15th, 16th and 17th Daejeon International Cartoon Contest in Seoul, South Korea, in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
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