Cartoonist Chellan, creator of Lolan, is no more

Cartoonist Chellan, best known for creating the comic character Lolan, passed away in Kottayam on Sunday at the age of 77. The funeral will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday at Vadavathoor.

Born in 1948 to Paulose and Martha, Chellan began his artistic career in 1970, painting signboards. He started drawing cartoons soon after, when he launched the column Samuhyam Pappu Aashan in Janayugam weekly. Over the years, his cartoons appeared in almost every major Malayalam publication, including comics magazines. He also designed the cover art for over a hundred books.

During the 1980’s, Lolan, a character created by Chellan became a cultural phenomenon across Kerala’s campuses. Introduced in Mangalam weekly in 1980, the character went on to entertain Malayali readers for more than a quarter century. With his bell-bottom pants, unique hairstyle and expressive mannerisms, Lolan embodied the carefree charm of youth. So popular was the character that the name Lolan even became synonymous with campus romeos of the era.

Through a cartoon syndicate, Lolan even reached audiences beyond Kerala, appearing for two years in the Sunday edition of a Hindi daily, for four years in Kannada and for two years in Tamil. Lolan also made his way onto television screens in a show featuring actors Indrans and Naseer Sankranti in lead roles.

Chellan retired from the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) as a painter in 2002 and was living with his family at Vadavathoor. He is survived by his wife Maryamma Philip and son Sareesh.

In honour of his contribution to the art form, Kerala Cartoon Academy made him a distinguished member.