First book on cartoonist Mario launched Panaji, July 21: A book on internationally renowned cartoonist Mario de Miranda was released on Saturday, which is the first ever book on this Goa-based 82-year-old cartoonist.
Miranda, who through his career spanning six decades, has been instrumental in various projects including murals in Mumbai. Gerald de Cunha, an architect who has published this book, called him as India's most prolific cartoonist and artist. Interestingly, though the book released held here had who's who from Goa's artistic and music circle, the function had lesser known Policarpo Vaz, Mario's friend as a Chief Guest. Vaz, a retired hotel employee, knows Mario for last sixty years and used to sell Mario's postcards during early days of cartoonist's career. "He used to tell the hotel guests that he had a deaf and dumb brother who did this cartoon," de Cunha told reporters narratting about the six decade long friendship between the duo. The book speaks of Mario's journey into two different sections -- Bombay and London and Bombay and Paris. "I like Bombay and Paris section as I like the Paris as a place," Mario, who shies away from talks, said. de Cunha said that the fanfollowing of the cartoonist has already resulted in good response for the book and they have sold out 1,000 copies even before it was formally published. "We are in the process of co-publishing this book with an American and UK partners," de Cunha said. The cartoonist, who has always kept himself away from caricaturing or commenting on politicians, said that he avoids doing so because he does not evince much interest in this field. http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=456876&sid=ENT&ssid=43 ~(^^)~ Avelino
