Late Indian cartoonist Abu Abraham was acclaimed for his political cartoons in India and England. He passed away in 2002 at the age of 78. Keep reading this article to learn everything about Abu’s life.
Abu Abraham, full name Attupurathu Mathew Abraham, was an Indian cartoonist, journalist, and author. He was best known for his sharp political cartoons that critiqued Indian politics and society.
Abraham’s work was widely published in national newspapers, notably The Hindu and The Indian Express. His cartoons often commented on political leaders and policies, and his wit and humor earned him a significant place in Indian editorial cartooning.
Likewise, Abraham had international exposure, working for British publications like The Observer during the 1950s and 1960s. Furthermore, he even maintained a reputation for being an independent thinker despite his broadly socialist views.
Additionally, Abu was known for being a lifelong atheist and rationalist. His work reflected his views, where he often approached social and political issues with a rational, humanistic perspective.
Meet Abu Abraham Parents & Early Life: Started Drawing At The Age Of 3
Attupurathu Mathew Abraham was born on June 11, 1924, to his parents, A.M. Mathew and Kantamma, in Mavelikara, Kerala. He was raised in a Syrian Christian family. According to an online report, Abraham’s father, A.M. Mathew, was a lawyer.
On the other hand, his mother, Kantamma, was a homemaker. Meanwhile, it remains unknown whether he was the only child of his parents or was raised alongside his siblings.
Furthermore, his early childhood showed signs of artistic talent as he started drawing at the very young age of three. He pursued his higher education at University College in Trivandrum, Kerala, where he studied English, French, and Mathematics, graduating in 1945.
The Kerala native then moved to Mumbai, where he worked as a reporter for the Bombay Chronicle, a prominent newspaper. While working there, he also pursued his passion for cartooning by contributing to Blitz.
In 1951, Abraham relocated to New Delhi and joined Shankar’s Weekly, a satirical English-language journal founded by the famous cartoonist Shankar. At Shankar’s Weekly, Abraham worked as a cartoonist and caricaturist.
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Cartoonist Fred Joss Encouraged Abu Abraham To Try Luck In London
When Abu Abraham met cartoonist Fred Joss, he encouraged him to try his luck in London. In 1953, Abu Abraham moved to London. Soon after his arrival, he sold one of his cartoons, edited by Malcolm Muggeridge, to Punch.
In the spring of 1956, Michael Foot, who would later become the leader of the Labour Party but was then the editor of the left-wing weekly Tribune, published two of Abraham’s cartoons. This was another significant moment in Abraham’s career in the UK.
By July 1966, Abu became dissatisfied with his paper’s shifting stance on the Middle East. In September of that year, he transitioned to The Guardian. In 1969, he returned to India and worked as a political cartoonist for the Indian Express in Delhi.
After leaving in 1981, he pursued a freelance career. By 1988, he had returned to his home state of Kerala, continuing his work as an artist and writer until his death.
Abu Abraham Was Married To Psyche: All About His Marriage and Children
Abu Abraham was married to a British-born wife, Valerie Anne, who is widely famous by her nickname Psyche. It remains unclear when the duo tied the knot, but it is known that they married and moved to Trivandrum to live in Abu’s Laurie Baker-designed home, Saranam.
Abu and Psyche kept the details of their marriage far from the public eye, as they were highly aware of their privacy. Despite being married for a long time, the duo didn’t welcome any kids.
Meanwhile, Abu was previously married to a woman named Sarojini. Abu and Sarojini welcomed two children, both daughters named Aysha and Janaki.
Abu’s wife, Psyche, was also a blogger who wrote some books. She published From Kippers to Karimeen: A Life, an autobiographical work that delves into her personal experiences and relationships.
In the book, she candidly discusses her life with three husbands, multiple lovers, and her six children, exploring themes of abandonment and reconciliation. The memoir provides a deep and personal look into her journey, including her eventual reconnection with her children later in life.
Abu and Psyche remained together until his death on December 1, 2002. Sadly, Psyche also passed away on July 15, 2013.
Abu Abraham’s Wife Psyche Was Married Multiple Times
Abu Abraham’s wife Psyche was born in England and moved to India after marrying Jhupu Adhikari, an Indian student. At that time, Jhupu was studying in England. After coming to India, Psyche and Jhupu lived in Calcutta.
Later, the duo moved to Bombay, where Jhupu took up a job at an ad agency. While Jhupu’s career took wing, Psyche started to feel that he was not interested in her anymore.
They drifted apart, and Psyche fell in love with Jhupu’s boss, Jog. Psyche left her son Miti and daughter Sara with Jhupu and returned to England to prepare for her marriage to Jog, who was planning to divorce his American wife and join her there.
In the meantime, while Jog was making his way to England, Psyche entered into two more relationships. One of these relationships resulted in a pregnancy, which she was unable to terminate.
This led to the birth of her daughter, Priya, whom Psyche gave up for adoption. Upon Jog’s arrival in England, Psyche married him. The couple then moved back to India, where Psyche had three children with him: Ini, Joya, and Abhi.
However, their marriage eventually dissolved due to Jog’s continual affairs. Following this, Psyche became involved with Abu Abraham and married him.
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