Chittaprosad’s political cartoons fearlessly spoke truth to power. His works often criticised collusion between powerful people—between politicians, capitalists and industrialists. A man dressed in the traditional attire of post-independence Indian politicians, the dhoti-kurta, along with a royal cape, saber, and staff, all symbols of monarchy, leads a procession. The burly umbrella bearer, while dressed in a grass skirt, wears a top hat and smokes a cigar—symbols often associated with class privilege. The cape-bearers all wear the recognisable politicians’ cap, while wearing similar grass skirts. The axes they wield would be familiar to anyone in the 40’s as the symbol of the fascists in Italy. The artist uses stark contrast as a tool by dressing the characters in things that do not go together to subtly express that in a democracy, when privilege and brute-force become protectors of those in power, elected representatives begin to resemble autocratic rulers of a puppet state.
Chittaprosad
Untitled
Brush and ink on paper
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Chittaprosad
Untitled
Brush and ink on paper
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