Monday, 11 August 2014

My love for Malgudi Days and R K Laxman’s expressive cartoon figures!!!

Tanaanaa tana nananaaaaaaa- Come this tune and my mind goes back memory lane way back in 1986 when it was first shown on television. R. K. Narayan who penned this wonderful Malgudi Days has given my generation and also every generation something so wonderful;  memories of watching Malgudi Days remains everfresh.  
Swami, the character full of innocence and his attachment to his grandmother, Swami and his friends are memories that will last a lifetime.  When I think of Malgudi days, I am able to recreate the scene in front of my eyes even now.  I remember it was in 1986 when Doordarshan started showcasing it primetime. The 9 p.m. prime time (as we know it now) showcased Swami and his friends, Malgudi characters instead of Arnab Goswami.   Many of my friends and generation made Swami and his family a part of our life and the innocence and the realism with which every actor from Girish Karnad to Anant Nag fitted into every role of Malgudi days so brilliantly.  The captivating and rustic background music by L Vaidyanathan and last but not the least, the wonderful cartoon sketches by R. K Laxman made the characters come alive on the Bush Television.
The imaginary city created by R K Narayan was so life like that it felt as if events and incidences happened and we became a part of it.  It was seeing these cartoon figures that I started sketching and I used to love sketching. For me every cartoon figure of RKLaxman sent out a message and something that I could learn from.  When I was little, I imagined that every station in a village looked like Malgudi.  It looked so beautiful, the railway track, the fencing, just few villagers selling their wares evoked a strange attraction in me. I am sure there will be many such stations but Malgudi is special in my heart and is closest.
So here’s trying out a simple handmade sketch.  Just for the fun of it!!!
Luv
Rekha

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