Illustrating Humor: Analyzing the Approach of Cartoonists through the Political Cartoons of Kerala

Abstract

Political cartoons act as a powerful communication tool that combines artistic skills like sarcasm, irony, humour and wit to raise questions against authority and draw public attention towards political happenings and social ills. Political cartoons exist between the dichotomy of fact and fiction. This is the power of political cartoons and brings together fantasy and reality. They use fiction to present truth, and this truth is created through allusions, metaphors, and associations inspired by true events, combined with the invention of an artist's imagination. The potential of the Political Cartoon genre increases the scope of research in this field as it expresses opinions that a thousand words cannot explain. Semi-structured interviews done with the cartoonists of mainstream newspapers give more insight into this study. The study contributes to the general understanding of political cartoons and how they make political statements. The study also tries to specify the various political themes and its portrayal by the cartoonist. Thus, this study within the political context of Kerala increases our understanding of this political communication tool.