B. V. Ramamurthy
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox person
|name = B. V. Ramamurthy
|image = BV_Ramamurthy.jpg
|birth_name =
|birth_date = {{birth date|1933|10|14|df=yes}}
|birth_place = Bangalore, Kingdom of Mysore
|death_date = {{death date and age|2004|03|23|1933|10|14|df=yes}}
|death_place = New Delhi, India
|occupation = Cartoonist, illustrator
|nationality = Indian
|relatives = 3
|signature =
|spouse = Rathna Murthy
|known_for = Mr. Citizen (cartoon column)
| awards =
}}
B. V. Ramamurthy (14 October 1933 – 23 March 2004) was an Indian cartoonist from Bangalore.[https://www.karnataka.com/personalities/bv-ramamurthy/ The Legendary Cartoonist-B.V. Ramamurthy] by Raggi Mudde : September 27, 2011[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/B-V-Ramamurthy-passes-away/articleshow/580453.cms B V Ramamurthy passes away] TOI : Mar 24, 2004 His cartoons were published in Karnataka-based dailies and magazines such as the Deccan Herald, Prajavani, Mayura and Sudha. His cartoon column titled Mr. Citizen on Deccan Herald became popular among readers.
Biography
Ramamurthy was a graduate in science from the St. Joseph's College in Bangalore. He began his career as a cartoonist in Kidi, a Kannada-language newspaper known for its satirical writings, run by his friend Seshappa, who is credited with the discovery of his talent.{{cite web |last1=Madhukar |first1=Jayanthi |title=Our own common man |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/lounge/our-own-common-man/articleshow/21353545.cms |publisher=Bangalore Mirror |access-date=29 April 2024 |language=en |date=3 July 2012}} Ramamurthy received further encouragement by cartoonists Philip Spratt and Pothan Joseph.
Ramamurthy joined Deccan Herald in 1955 and invented the Mysore peta- and dhoti-clad "Mr. Citizen", a representative of the Indian middle-class man. He began the first column in 1958 titled As You Like It, which featured the character, Mr. Citizen. It was a depiction of a common man's agony and problems besides portraying political developments everyday.{{cite news |title=DH, PV cartoonist Ramamurthy dead |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/mar242004/i3.asp |access-date=29 April 2024 |work=Deccan Herald |date=24 March 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040518131818/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/mar242004/i3.asp |archive-date=18 May 2004}} The character became widely popular, and when he was portrayed without a peta for a while, angry letters were sent by the readers leading to Ramamurthy reverting to the previous version. Speaking of the character's impact, former editor of Deccan Herald K. N. Harikumar recalled that readers identified with Mr. Citizen's "running commentary on life, its hypocrisies and the associated problems." He added that "[Ramamurthy] had a very personal vision of life. His cartoons were very specific. He moulded public perception."{{cite web |last1=Kappan |first1=Rasheed |title=He was an interesting, popular citizen |url=http://www.hindu.com/lf/2004/04/14/stories/2004041410000200.htm |publisher=The Hindu |access-date=29 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040903160706/http://www.hindu.com/lf/2004/04/14/stories/2004041410000200.htm |archive-date=3 September 2004 |date=14 April 2004}} Ramamurthy retired from Deccan Herald in 1991 as an assistant editor but continued to be a contributor.{{cite news |title=B.V. Ramamurthy passes away |url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/03/25/stories/2004032503400500.htm |access-date=29 April 2024 |work=The Hindu |date=25 March 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040415023744/http://www.hindu.com/2004/03/25/stories/2004032503400500.htm |archive-date=15 April 2004}}
Ramamurthy attracted international attention for his drawings in the early 1980s for "Grin of the Year". His criticism of the former US President, Jimmy Carter, became popular among cartoonists. Recognizing his contribution to journalism as a cartoonist, he was given the Sandesha Award by the government of Karnataka in 1998. Ramamurthy died from cardiac arrest on 23 March 2004 in New Delhi.
= Indian Institute of Cartoonists =
Ramamurthy was the first chairperson of the Indian Institute of Cartoonists, a position he served until his death in 2004.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20200428163000/http://www.cartoonistsindia.com/htm/homage.htm Homage]}} at IIC[http://sgurera1.tripod.com/ramamurthy.htm Tributes while Remembering Ramamurthy] & [http://sgurera1.tripod.com/ramamurthy2.htm Cartoon Collection] : ShekharGurera.com
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Exhibitions of Ramamurthy's cartoons organised by Indian Institute of Cartoonists at Indian Cartoon Gallery. | ||
| Date | Exhibition | Inaugurated by |
|---|---|---|
| 16 August 2007 | B. V. Ramamurthy, V. G. Narendra and B. G. Gujjarappa | T. N. Chaturvedi |
| 30 June 2012 | World of Ramamurthy[http://www.mybangalore.com/events/bv-ramamurthys-cartoons-and-paintings.html An exhibition of Cartoons by B. V. Ramamurthy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329160636/http://www.mybangalore.com/events/bv-ramamurthys-cartoons-and-paintings.html |date=29 March 2020 }} MyBangalore.com : June 30, 2012 | K. N. Harikumar |
| February 2017 | World of Ramamurthy[http://www.bestcartoons.net/Whats-New-2017/i-jNDn3qj What's New 2017]{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} BestCartoons.net : Personal Exhibition[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/Events-in-Bengaluru-Today/article17190804.ece Events in Bengaluru Today] The Hindu / February 3, 2017 |
References
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Category:20th-century Indian illustrators
Category:Indian editorial cartoonists
Category:Journalists from Karnataka
Category:Artists from Bengaluru
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