BIO-DATA
Jagajeevan Shetty or ‘Jeevan’ as he is fondly known to his friends and admirers was born in Mangalore in Karnataka ( India). When he was young, his teacher noticed his drawings & sketches and encouraged him to participate in competitions. He gradually switched over to painting as a hobby and flowered into a full time artist within a few years.
- During 1971-75, he was initiated into the world of drawing and painting as an artist of the wall magazine of Govt.College, Mangalore – where he experimented with different mediums and forms of Art including Caricature.
- In 1980, he realised that he had an aptitude for cartoons. This natural inclination towards cartoons was instantly appreciated for its sense of humour. Two of his younger brothers Harini and Prakash are well established
- He is an accomplished cartoonist in his own right having sketched over 10000 cartoons which were published in various magazines and newspapers.
- During the period 1987-1992, he won many awards and participated in several cartoon exhibitions. He is greatly interested in ‘On the Spot’ cartoon demonstrations & illustrations for Stories, Fiction & Books.
- In 1992, he had a major role in the formation of ‘Artists’ Forum’ – Udupi, as its founder Vice-President.
- The credit for designing the official mascot – NANDU (the Bull) for the IVth National Games held at Bangalore in 1996, goes to him. Around 1600 artists participated in the competition.
- Demonstrations and workshops for kids on promotion of Cartoons were his passion. More than 50 such demonstrations attended on various occasions.
- In 2002, at the World Bunts’ Convention held at Mangalore his paintings on the theme -‘Water in Water Colour’. Solo Exhibition of 20 Paintings – ‘Water in Water Colour’ at PrasadArtGallery, Mangalore on the eve of ‘International year of safe fresh water -2003’ had given him a wide publicity.
- His Paintings are displayed at many private collections. Published many interesting write ups about Art related Aticles in local magazines.
- Bangalore Doordarshan has vediographed his Interview during July 2003 for their Kannada TV serial on Cartoonists named ‘Gere Bare’. (Also covered Interview of other 27 cartoonists during 2004)
- Nurtured around 3000 rural kids, running an ‘Art to Heart’ Drawing classes for the period of 15 years.
- Winner of many local, National and International cartoon and caricature contests.
Greetings From: India Toons