West Bengal: Cartoonist Narayan Debnath passes away; PM Modi, CM Mamata condole his demise

KOLKATA: Eminent cartoonist Narayan Debnath — the creator of unforgettable characters like Batul The Great, Nante and Fante — breathed his last on Tuesday morning at a hospital in West Bengal capital Kolkata.
He was 97.
Debnath — who had not been keeping well for the last three weeks — was not responding to treatment.
When Debnath was awarded Padma Shri in 2021, several artists, including Samir Aich, questioned honouring him so late.
He had been active as a cartoonist for over seven decades.
In the initial years, he had also worked with an advertising agency and designed film posters.
Debnath created Batul in the early 1960s.
He also illustrated books of a detective series.
The cartoonist and author will be ever remembered as one who entertained children.
His characters had been intricately involved with the growing up days of children as his comic strip Batul started publishing in children's magazine Shuktara.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and governor Jagdeep Dhankhar conveyed their condolences to the family and followers of the late cartoonist.
The CM said that Debnath will always be remembered for his immemorial characters.

The West Bengal government had awarded him with Bangabibhusan in 2013 and he was also awarded D Litt by Rabindra Bharati University.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted to condole Narayan Debnath' death.
He said: "Narayan Debnath Ji brightened several lives through his works, cartoons and illustrations. His works reflected his intellectual prowess. The characters he created will remain eternally popular. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti. "

Debnath did not stop working even while he was sick.
In hospital as well, he used his skill and tried to draw cartoons.
His body was taken to his Howrah home before the cremation.