Mario Miranda at 100: How the legendary cartoonist captured India’s social, political pulse

Known for his distinct ‘geometric jiggles’ and incredible attention to detail, he transformed everyday social interactions into humorous panoramas. These wall-sized sketches perfectly capture his ability to give every individual in a crowded scene a unique personality and expression. Today, his work, which blended sharp social observation with a warm, playful spirit, is considered a vital historical record of 20th-century Indian life.

To honour his 100th birth anniversary on May 2, the Indian Cartoon Gallery in Bengaluru will host an exhibition, “Mario @100”, which will feature a total of 110 exhibits, including pocket cartoons, colourful illustrations, political cartoons, and memorable sketches of Karnataka. A self-taught artist, Miranda (whose full name was Mário João Carlos do Rosário de Brito Miranda ComIH) began freelancing as a cartoonist and illustrator while still an undergraduate at St. Xavier’s College in Bombay.

A master of multiple media

Miranda travelled widely all over the world. In 1959, he travelled to Lisbon on the Gulbenkian Scholarship, later spent several years in London, and in 1974 visited the US. In the US, he met and interacted with Charles Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts comic strip. After returning to India, Miranda worked with the Times of India and its affiliates like The Illustrated Weekly of India. During his stint at The Economic Times, Miranda addressed governance issues in his work without taking any overt political stands. He was a master of multiple media: pen-and-ink, colour, and charcoal.

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His work extended beyond cartooning and caricature. A recipient of both the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, Miranda created over 50,000 works during his lifetime. His work appeared in books by renowned authors like Dom Moraes, Khushwant Singh, Manohar Malgonkar, and Ruskin Bond. His legacy is etched into public spaces, most famously in the murals at the Panaji Municipal Market, Café Mondegar in Mumbai, and Madgaon Railway Station.

Miranda also had a Bengaluru connection. He studied at St Joseph’s Boys’ High School. VG Narendra, Managing Trustee at the Indian Institute of Cartoonists (IIC), says: “In 2001, at the inaugural function of the IIC, Miranda was felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the then Chief Minister SM Krishna. I knew Miranda very well because while he was working with The Illustrated Weekly, I was in Bombay, where I worked with The Free Press Journal, and we would frequently meet.”

Gentle observation of people

He also played an instrumental role in guiding the setting up of the Indian Cartoon Gallery, the first and most well-known cartoon gallery in the country. Reminiscing about how Miranda supported his vision of setting up the gallery, Narendra says: “He was the first person to support the idea. He often came to Bangalore and would guide me regarding establishing the gallery, which was set up in 2007. He naturally became the chief patron of IIC,” says Narendra.

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Narendra emphasises the personal nature of the collection at the gallery: “He donated his works to us, and we have maintained them with utmost care.” The exhibition will feature 40 of Miranda’s best illustrations from Dom Moraes’ The Open Eyes: A Journey Through Karnataka (1976), offering a unique insight into the heritage and people of the state. Retaining the essence of his style, Miranda’s drawings of Karnataka’s culture and architecture are intricate and precise.

Miranda’s influence extends across generations of artists. Visual artist, illustrator, and comic book artist Orijit Sen notes that Miranda’s work is “ageless,” offering a deeper look at people and lifestyles through gentle observation. Sen highlights Miranda’s sensitive portrayal of the historical figure, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. “He is depicted as a true leader of the people. Miranda also depicted tribal communities and common people with sensitivity. Of course, his draughtsmanship, shading, and toning will always be unsurpassed,” stresses Orijit.

A work worth a thousand words

Paul Fernandes, a well-known illustrator and artist based in Bengaluru, says: “Mario is one of the greatest artists who entertained a billion Indians without any barrier of language and intellect; the illustrations and cartoons speak to you. Each work is worth a thousand words.”

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In an era when satire is increasingly viewed from a rigid ideological lens, even gentle observational humour is at risk of being taken out of context. While Miranda gently mocked the absurdities of bureaucracy and everyday life, today’s climate is marked by intolerance for humour; a sense of humour is sorely lacking in today’s offence-taking times. In an age of social media virality, a single cartoon can be taken out of context and be held up to unnecessary scrutiny. Besides public scrutiny, there are increasing risks of censorship, legal action, and political pressure.

Miranda’s intricate and character-driven cartoons worked well in print. However fast-paced digital media has shrunk the space for such nuance. Digital surveillance, stricter laws, and social media outrage create a hostile environment for humour even as gentle and non-confrontational as Miranda’s. Therefore, it becomes even more important to revisit Miranda’s work away from the noise of social media and in a quiet, meditative space of a gallery, where the original intent can be appreciated.

(Mario @100 will be displayed at Indian Cartoon Gallery, near Trinity Circle, MG Road, Bengaluru, from May 2 to May 23 (Sundays closed), 11 am onwards. Entry free.)