A tribute to cartoonist Anirban Bora

By Falah Faisal | NT 

To celebrate an artist’s work after his passing always has an element of sadness to it. But sometimes it is also a celebration of their lives. This is the sense you get walking into the Indian Institute of Cartoonists’ exhibition of the work of Anirban Bora, an illustrator par excellence, a lifelong foodie and a gregarious individual.

Most famous for his illustrated column Indica Gastronomica published in the Economic Times, he explored various aspects of Indian kitchens and cuisines through his work. A wall full of these illustrated stories forms the most noticeable display at the exhibition.

In these pages he presented readers with illustrated short stories about everything from kebabs to sweets. Besides that his artwork also features political caricatures, satirical comics and abstract scenes from everyday life like metro rides and being stuck in the rain.

Hailing from Kolkata, he was a graduate of Jadavpur University and wrote for numerous publications including Down to Earth Magazine, Outlook Money and HT Mint. He succumbed to Covid in May 2021, but has left behind a colourful legacy. His work is on display at Indian Institute of Cartoonists till May 28.