Long before Google Maps, the seasoned cartoonist Ajit Ninan played a pivotal role in helping me find my way to the Indian Express office on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg.
His guidance on my maiden journey as a Senior Editor was invaluable. We embarked on our route from Janakpuri. We reached Teenmurti, passing the iconic statue in front of Teenmurti Bhavan, the official residence of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. He steered us onto Teenmurti Marg and then onto Akbar Road, emphasising, “Never turn left or right. Stay on Akbar Road until you reach India Gate.”
“Continue straight until you encounter Tilak Marg. Tilak Marg will lead you to ITO, where the Express building is situated on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg.”
From that day onward, I took the wheel myself, and to this day, whenever I traverse Akbar Road, I fondly recall Ninan’s invaluable guidance. During that time, we both were residing in Janakpuri. Following Prabhu Chawla’s transition from the India Today group to the Express group, Ajit joined him there. I joined a few years later when Chawla was shifted to the Financial Express and HK Dua was appointed editor-in-chief.
At the Indian Express, I also assumed responsibility for a Diary column that appeared on alternate days. Ninan lent his artistic talents to illustrate those items. One memorable item hailed from Kerala, narrating how a mahout cleverly used his elephant to extort money from shopkeepers. Ninan swiftly transformed this anecdote into a cartoon, depicting the elephant lifting the shopkeeper by his legs, causing money to rain down from his trouser and shirt pockets, much to the mahout’s delight.
Ajit was a dedicated workaholic, consistently engrossed in his cartoon and illustration work. I often pondered whether he was being overworked by our employer. He maintained a studio within his home, where he felt most at ease creating his art.
Despite his talents, Ajit wasn’t a social butterfly. I visited his home several times, yet he never returned my calls. No, it was not out of arrogance, but because of his unique disposition.
Ajit’s lineage traced back to the renowned Attupurathu family of Mavelikkara, the same family to which Marthoma Bishop Isaac Mar Philoxenos belonged. His wife, Meenu, was from the Shankaramangalam family. She worked as a school principal in Delhi, and their daughters Samyukta and Aparajita were of similar ages to my sons. He was cartoonist Abu Abraham’s nephew.
Despite his Marthomite background, Ajit harboured little faith in organised religion, though he dutifully paid monthly subscriptions, requiring the likes of the secretary or the priest to visit his home and collect. His contributions were always substantial. He likened himself to a cat, deeply attached to his environment. That’s why he resisted leaving his rented house in Janakpuri, eventually purchasing it. Our connection ceased when I relocated to Chandigarh.
While I wouldn’t classify him as a great political cartoonist, there was undeniable humour and artistry in his work. He crafted numerous cartoon characters, including the iconic Detective Moochwala for the children’s magazine Target. His career spanned positions at Outlook and the Times of India, and he eventually settled in Mysore, working from his home studio.
Tragically, his contract was due for renewal in October, but fate had other plans. A few days prior, his wife travelled to Goa to visit their daughter Aparajitha, leaving him alone. As someone who despised traveling and hospitals, he had been complaining of fatigue, opting for a diet of Muesli. On the fateful morning today [September 8], the maid discovered his locked house. When there was no response to the bell, she reached out to Meenu in Goa, who instructed her to obtain a duplicate key from a neighbour. Upon opening the house, a heart-wrenching discovery awaited – Ajit Ninan had passed away, likely losing balance on the way to the washroom. His wife and two of his brothers are expected to arrive in Mysore today evening.
Ajit had expressed a desire for cremation, and as per plans, his body would be cremated soon. In the untimely passing of Ajit Ninan, the nation bids farewell to an exceptionally talented cartoonist and illustrator. May his soul rest in eternal peace!
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