Cartoonist fraternity mourns Tailang's death

The cartoonist fraternity on Saturday mourned the death of Sudhir Tailang saying that political cartoons lost a sharp tongue as he had never held back.

"He was the youngest of my peer group. His going is sad," said E.P. Unny, chief political cartoonist of The Indian Express.

Describing Tailang's works as classic and extremely stylish, he said that it was too early for him to go.

"Its sad that he left us at 55. He should have lived for 20 years more," said Unny.

He added that Tailang will be remembered for sharp and political works. "His cartoons were very sharp, critical and he had a wide understanding of politics. We used to meet once in a while . I have known his wife and daughter. He was very friendly," said Unny.

Tailang, a recipient of Padma Shri in 2004, also had a book - "No, Prime Minister", comprising of a collection of cartoons on former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

Under treatment for brain cancer since 2014, he breathed his last at his east Delhi residence on Saturday. He is survived by his daughter and wife.

Remembering Tailang as a dear friend, Neelabh Banerjee, national creative director at Reliance Industries Ltd, said that he was a good orator too. Though having an age difference of few years, they shared a friendly relationship, he said.

"He was non-compromising on his works and there was a purity of thought," he said.

"In 2013, when Times of India celebrated 175 years, I was in charge of a cartoon book, which was planned as part of the celebrations. I invited Tailang to work with a group of cartoonists on a theme. Later, Tailang told me that he thoroughly enjoyed doing that. Time cheated us, " he added.

Describing Tailang as extremely passionate about his profession, Banerjee said that there was no holding back on his punchlines.

Tailang who started his career with the Illustrated Weekly, had also worked with newspapers like Navbharat Times, Hindustan Times, Times of India and the Indian Express. His last assignment was with the Asian Age.