K. Shankar Pillai

Keshava Shankar Pillai
Born(1902-07-31)31 July 1902
Kayamkulam, British India
Died26 December 1989(1989-12-26) (aged 87)
Alma materUniversity Science College, Trivandrum
Occupation(s)cartoonist, writer
Years active1932–1986
Known forShankar's Weekly
Children's Book Trust
Shankar's International Dolls Museum
AwardsPadma Vibhushan (1976)

Kesava Shankar Pillai (31 July 1902 – 26 December 1989), better known as Shankar, was an Indian cartoonist. He is considered the father of political cartooning in India.[1] He founded Shankar's Weekly, India's Punch in 1948. Shankar's Weekly also produced cartoonists like Abu Abraham, Ranga and Kutty, he closed down the magazine during the Emergency of 25 June 1975. From then on he turned to making children laugh and enjoy life.

He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1976, the second highest civilian honour given by the Govt. of India.[2] Today he is most remembered for setting up Children's Book Trust established 1957 and Shankar's International Dolls Museum in 1965.[3]

  1. ^ Khorana, Meena (1991). The Indian subcontinent in literature for children and young adults. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 0-313-25489-3.
  2. ^ Padma Vibhushan Awardees
  3. ^ Tribute to Shankar The Hindu, 2 August 2002.