Tribute: Abdul Kalam, a President who loved cartoons

Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was a cartoon-lover in the true sense of the term.

The patron of the Constitution of India respected the freedom of expression given to us in this sacred book — the oxygen for a cartoonist. It was in June 2004 in the magnificent Ashoka Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan that I met him for the first time, for a mere 30 seconds, that’s how much time you get with him while receiving the Padma award. While pinning the medal on my coat pocket, he asked, “You have never drawn my cartoon?”

“Sir, I have a couple of times,” I muttered.

He said, “No, do you promise to draw one and give it to me?”

“Yes Sir,” I posed with my medal and the roll of a citation, for a posse of press photographers.

I thought it was very generous of the President to say these words to me. I forgot about it and never drew the promised cartoon.

Cut to June 2007: A phone call from his office — “Mr Tailang, can you please come to Rashtrapati Bhavan tomorrow for a cup of tea with the President, with the cartoon you had promised to draw for the President?

I was floored! The 30 second conversation at a ceremonial function, I thought was the humble President’s way of making me comfortable. I didn’t draw the cartoon! I quickly drew the cartoon and got it framed.

Next day, at 4.45 pm I was sitting in the President’s elegant office. I was sitting with the front-page lead of tomorrow morning’s newspapers! Dr Kalam looked calm and comfortable. The leaders of the UPA had left just a few minutes ago. I look at Dr Kalam and try to figure out whether he is a lame duck President. He doesn’t appear like one at all. Diminutive, but larger than life. Humble, but assertive. He looks confident of playing a second innings with the same grace and élan as the first.

I present the framed caricature of his and he is delighted. He calls for the photographer. He inspects this caricature and appreciates his hair as I have captured the mop. He is a dream come true for a cartoonist. The general impression is that a President is above cartoons. I have fulfilled a promise I had made Dr Kalam three years ago. He wanted me to draw him. I tell him my all-time favourite is P.V. Narasimha Rao. He says he loves cartoons.

I tell him the art of cartooning is dying. He is a bit concerned and offers his help. He says he’d try to promote it. And the cartoon-lover keeps his word. Three days later, he addresses journalists of the PTI and says, “I want to see the cartoon back on the front page.” It makes front-page news.

RIP Dr Kalam.