There’s a side of IPS officer Dyutiman Bhattacharya that can tickle a laughter bone or two. It’s the cartoonist in him! When he is not working, he is drawing cartoons. For him, policing is his job and cartooning is his passion. In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, the officer, who is at present DCP Howrah, talks about his love for cartooning and the Cartoon Dol that he is a part of.
THE CARTOON DOL
Back in the year 2014, a group, Cartoon Dol, was started by a professor in Kolkata University, Shubhendu Dasgupta. This group now has around 20 creative personalities from different professions, who come from different parts of Bengal, following their passion of cartooning. Mr. Bhattacharya is one of them.
He says, “This is the first time we have organized a month-long exhibition from December 5 to January 5, to celebrate famous Bengali cartoonist Reboti Bhushan Ghosh’s 100th birth anniversary.”
The Cartoon Dol has been organisingart exhibition since 2014, and from this year onwards ,it will be organized every year.
THE CARTOON MELA
As a tribute to famous Bengali cartoonist Reboti Bhushan Ghosh, Cartoon Dol has organized a month-long exhibition as a one -stop collection of artworks of around 20 Bengali cartoonists, including the masterpieces of late Ghosh.
Mr. Bhattarcharya says that the Cartoon Mela, which is being held at a bookshop, Read Bengali Books, is not only special in terms of its collection but also provides a chance to people to meet the cartoonists behind their favorite artwork.
“In this Cartoon Mela, we are not just presenting our artwork for the exhibition, Cartoon Dol’s merchandise is also available here for those who want to buy them.” His own illustration artwork on paper cups is an example.
THE COLLECTION
The exhibition has a collection of masterpieces of legendary cartoonist Reboti Bhushan’s precious artwork, with quirky collectibles like tote bags, posters, fridge magnets, animal masks, coffee mugs, illustrated T-shirts and wooden dolls merchandise are available for sale.
Reboti Bhushan was not only a cartoonist but also a painter, illustrator, calligraphy artist and a poet. The artist from Hooghly spent most of his life working in Delhi for various publications, but later came back to his hometown and continued his work there to leave behind his art legacy. At Cartoon Mela, his collectibles like postcards with his drawings and poems, calendars and postage stamps are some of the major attractions for the visitors.
Mr. Bhattacharya says, “By merchandising, our aim is to connect people with this artform by sending these artefacts as a memory to their home.”
Renowned artists Amal Chakraborty, Anup Ray, Debashish Deb, along with many budding artists from Bengal, are a part of the Cartoon Dol and they are interacting with the visitors to the mela and also, performing live art.
ABOUT THE OFFICER
Mr. Dyutiman Bhattacharya is a 2011-batch IPS officer who is currently serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police at Howrah (HQ), West Bengal.
He is also known as a cartoonist par excellence. “In my childhood days, I used to watch R.K. Laxman’s Malgudi Days, and it was my first inspiration. I developed a love towards this artform. Later Mario Miranda’s and Reboti Bhushan’s work also inspired me a lot,” he says.
The officer also used to do theater in his college days and will be seen in an upcoming Bengali movie , Raavan, where he is playing the role of a super cop with popular Bengali actor Jeet in the lead role.
He is also an animal lover and has recently adopted a hyena. He also writes regular columns for prominent Bengali newspapers.
Balancing his passions and his work finely, he is an inspiration for all those who either neglect or give up their passion once they start working, thinking it will affect their work. After all, balancing is also an art. And it takes an artist to realize it and work it to his advantage.
