Cartoon Book ‘Satire and Ridicule’ Launched in Dhaka
Staff Reporter
Publish: 17 Oct 2024, 11:00 PM
The cartoon book titled Satire and Ridicule was officially launched this evening at DrikPath Bhobon in the Panthapath area of Dhaka.
It is based on the Cartoon e Bidroho exhibition held at Drik in August and features approximately 200 selected cartoons that comment on the fall of Sheikh Hasina and the July mass uprising in Bangladesh.
The launch event included speeches from prominent figures, including Dhaka University Mass Communication and Journalism Professor Dr. Gitiara Nasreen, Sociology Associate Professor Dr. Samina Luthfa, and cartoonist Mehedi Haque.
Shahidul Alam, also the Managing Director of Drik, moderated the discussions.
Alam emphasized the importance of voicing concerns during times of repression, stating, “The time is safer than before, but it is crucial to raise our voices while repression happens. We should stand beside those who speak out during difficult times.”
Dr. Nasreen expressed her admiration for those documenting the nation’s memories, noting, “Many people could not express themselves for years, and then an outburst happened. A significant portion of dissenting voices emerged during this period, expressed through cartoons, satire, and memes. Cartoons have an international language.”
Dr. Luthfa highlighted
the power of cartoons, remarking, “Understanding the context behind a
cartoon is essential to grasp the underlying politics. A single cartoon
can convey a message more quickly than a thousand-word speech.”
Mehedi Haque noted that many young cartoonists contributed to the book, stating, “We collected around 500 cartoons from the internet, with only 10 to 15 created by well-known cartoonists. While many are working across various mediums, the culture of documentation is lacking. Publishing the book in English provides a valuable opportunity for international audiences.”
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