Cartoonist for The Morung Express, Sandemo Ngullie to receive Governor’ award on Republic Day
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 25
“Slavery still exists. The difference between yesterday and today is… today we are the slaves” goes a line of Sandemo Ngullie penciled with an apt pictorial to describe the incursion of technology in modern life.
Associated with The Morung Express since 2008, Sandemo Ngullie, with his imaginative, bold, honest and thought provoking ‘Reflections’ have been documenting the ironies, contradictions, dilemmas and celebrations of the Naga people’s lived realities.
Meshed with humor, albeit sometimes sardonic, Sandemo reflects the changing state of affairs in Nagaland and captures the changing landscape with deep insight.
His insightful artworks have not gone unnoticed. Last August, Sandemo was announced as one of the recipients of the Governor’s Award in the field of Arts, Music and Literature for 2016 as a cartoonist. He will receive the award during India’s Republic Day Celebration in Kohima in January 26.
Other receiving conferred the in the field of Arts, Music and Literature Awards on the occasion of Republic Day 2017 include Neivotuo Keyho Art (Sculptor); Abiogenesis (Band), Music (Folk Fusion); Nikolo Tsuzu, Literature; Medo Vizo, Literature; and Senka Ao, Literature.
Listing his favorite cartoonists as Mario Marinda, and R.K Laxman, Sandemo has also cultivated a fair share of fans over the years.
“The first thing I set my eyes on when I get hold of your esteemed daily in the morning is ‘Reflections’ by Sandemo Ngullie. His talent is extraordinary – at par with the world’s best” wrote Allen Imsong, from Kohima to The Morung Express last year.
“To me he is a philosopher-artist; a rare gem among men, who is lucky to be endowed with both talent and insight at the same time. I believe future generations can relate to and understand a lot about today’s Naga society just by looking at his works,” she added.
According to Veroli Zhimomi from Dimapur, Sandemo’s brand of humour and satire is “a window into the painfully hypocritical state of the Naga society in general.” There has hardly been a time when I have not agreed with the sentiments portrayed in his work, albeit begrudgingly, she added.
I’ve met Sandemo couple of times besides his daily reflections for Morung. I found him to be quiet yet gentle; maintained Dr. Asangba Tzüdir of Heritage Publishing House Dimapur adding, “He is an apt observer who through his form of art has vocalised cartoon as a mode of revolution for our society.”
Counting Sandemo as someone whom he “really look up to,” fellow cartoonist Arien Jamir of the Eastern Mirror aptly sums it up.
“The level of creativity, wit and humour in his work is above anybody else’s. He has single-handedly kept the cartoon section alive in our newspaper.”
