Noted cartoonist Abu Abraham died at a private hospital in Thiruvanthapuram at 4.30 pm on Sunday. He was 78 and is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Abu, who was suffering from a stomach ailment, had undergone a surgery on Saturday. His condition worsened this morning. His body was later taken to his residence, Saranam, at Kawdiar. The cremation would take place at the Thycaud electronic crematorium at 2 pm on Monday.
Born in Mavelikara on June 11, 1924 as son of A M Mathew and Kantamma, Abu started drawing cartoons and caricatures at the age of three. He started his career as a reporter in Bombay Chronicle soon after he completed his degree in science at the Thiruvananthapuram University College.
After working in various publications, including Blitz and Shankar's Weekly, New Delhi he left for England in 1953 for better prospects. He worked as staff cartoonist in the Observer and the Guardian till 1969, when he returned to India to joined Indian Express as cartoonist.
The two cartoon characters he introduced under the title Private View had become very popular. Abu also had a six-year stint as a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1972 to 1978.
He is also author of three books, Abu on Bangladesh, Games of Emergency, Arrivals and Departures. Abu had also produced an animation film No Arks, which won Special Award of the British Film Institute in 1970.
Abu
Prime Minster Atal Bihari Vajpayee condoled the death Abraham saying he was "capable of convening serious things through his lines of caricature".
"Abraham possessed a rare versatility and was capable of conveying even the serious things through his lines of
caricature," the prime minister said in a message.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj also condoled his death.
She said Abraham's "cartoons were like a commentary on contemporary history which would remain etched in the minds of people for years to come".
His death is a "great loss" to the field of cartoon journalism, Swaraj said, adding "Abu was a cartoonist who could
convey clearly his messages on topical issues through few lines of caricatures, which could otherwise require thousands
of words."
Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony in his message said, "A gifted cartoonist and journalist, Abu created a universe of
ideas through his work. He made people think and laugh simultaneously."
