The first fully formed cartoon in Malayalam appeared in 1919. Shivaram was born a year before the birth of Malayalam cartoons. K. Sivaraman Nair, one of Malayalam’s earliest popular cartoonists, known as Shivaram, was born on the Moolam star day in February 1918, to Keshavan Namboothiri and Karthyayani of Inchur Illam, Thrikkariyoor near Kothamangalam. His father was a great Sanskrit scholar and a lover of humor. While studying at Ashram High School, Sivaraman Nair won many awards in art. Until his death, he used to say that he was a student of cartooning. For that reason, Shivaram was someone who practiced constantly. It was Shivaram, who could draw cartoons effortlessly without using a pencil or eraser, who popularized social cartoons in Malayalam.
He worked for 32 years at F.A.C.T. in the roles of publicity artist, cartoonist, and commercial artist. During this period, Shivaram drew cartoons for many Malayalam publications. After becoming widely famous, he signed his work with the letter “S” enclosed in a square. From 1947 onward, the cartoon column *Bhanumenon*, which Shivaram drew for the weekly *Malayala Rajyam*, became highly popular and renowned. The happenings within a family were the main theme of this cartoon column. Published on the last page of the weekly *Malayala Nadu* for 14 years, the cartoon picture-story *Bhanumenon* served as the model or inspiration for all cartoon picture-stories that appeared later.
Although the Kerala Cartoon Academy was formed in 1981, it was officially registered under the Societies Act only in 1983. On March 9, 1983, after drafting its constitution, the first general meeting was held at the Ernakulam Press Club Hall. The constitution was prepared under the leadership of the first committee of the Kerala Cartoon Academy. At the meeting, Yesudasan was elected chairman and Shivaram was elected secretary. Yesudasan and Shivaram were at the forefront of strengthening the unity of Malayalam cartoonists. Until his death on October 3, 1995, Shivaram Chettan carried cartooning and humor with him like a lifelong spiritual discipline.
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