GUWAHATI, Nov 12 - Pioneer cartoonist and artist Trailokya Dutta passed away at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) late last night.
He was 90 and had been ailing for some time. Born at Ratanpur village in Bajali district on February 18, 1930, Dutta was a pioneer in the field of cartoon, especially political cartoons, and made his first cartoon in the Assamese newspaper Natun Asomiya in 1952. The cartoon depicting the State�s devastating floods is widely acclaimed as the first political cartoon of Assam.
Dutta later joined Dainik Asam, the Assamese daily published by the Assam Tribune Group in 1964, and created in association with the then editor Kirtinath Hazarika the State�s first box cartoon or pocket cartoon titled �Kahudi�. Kahudi went on to become an immensely popular and permanent feature of Dainik Asam, drawing people�s attention to myriad socio-political issues in a deft, satirical manner.
A passout from Kolkata�s Charu Kala and Karu Kala Mohabidyalaya (College of Art and Craft), Dutta had stints in different spheres of activities related to art and craft, beginning with a brief stint at the Nataraj mobile theatre. He worked for six months in the Directorate of Information and Public Relations before joining the Assamese magazine Ramdhenu as artist. Later he joined the Assam Tribune Group and retired from there in 1991.
After retirement, Dutta continued to temporarily associate himself as a cartoonist with several newspapers, including The Sentinel, Ajir Asom, Natun Dainik, etc., for five years.
Dutta also specialized as a cover page artist and designer and did the cover pages of over 3,000 books, including many acclaimed works by eminent authors. Solo art was also his forte and he was a pioneer in that genre.
A multi-faceted personality, Dutta was also a playwright besides being a powerful writer who contributed to various newspapers and magazines on multifarious subjects. He played a key role in pioneering women�s education by setting up a girls� school at his native village Ratanpur.
Dutta also published and edited a magazine Shristi.
A recipient of the artistes pension of the Assam government, Dutta won several awards, including Bishnu Rabha Award, Amulya Kakati Award, Sonit Konwar Gajen Baruah Award, among others.
A bachelor, Dutta leaves behind a host of relatives and admirers.
The All Guwahati Students� Union (AGSU) made arrangements for the final journey of the eminent artist to the Nabagraha crematorium with due respect.
His mortal remains were first brought to the Gauhati Artists� Guild (GAG) from his Hatigaon residence in a vehicle decorated with flowers. Friends, associates and other members of the artists fraternity paid homage to Dutta.
Employees of the Assam Tribune Group also paid floral tribute to the eminent cartoonist as his mortal remains reached the Tribune Buildings campus.
A number of people present during the last rites of Dutta lamented the fact that none from the government came forward to shoulder the responsibility of the last rites of the veteran artist.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has condoled Dutta�s death, terming him as a pioneer cartoonist and artist. �His contributions to the field of art are invaluable and will inspire generations. His death created a huge void in the State�s cultural spheres,� the Chief Minister said in statement.
