Cartoonist Narayan Debnath died at a private hospital in Kolkata on Tuesday morning. He was 98. Debnath was awarded India’s fourth-highest civilian award Padma Shri in 2021. West Bengal minister last week handed over the award to him while he was undergoing treatment. Earlier, he was awarded Bangabibhsuan in 2013 and the Sahitya Academy Award.

State Cooperative Minister Aroop Roy and Home Secretary B P Gopalika met the ailing nonagenerian last week and handed over the medal and certificate to Debnath, a year after the honour was bestowed on him by the Centre.

Debnath, legendary visual artist who has immortalised fictional characters such as ‘Batul the Great’ and ‘Nante Fante’, was undergoing treatment at a private hospital since December 24 due to age-related ailments.

Debnath immortalised comic characters such as Handa Bhonda, Batul the Great, and Nonte Fonte and made childhood more entertaining.

“He was admitted in the hospital on December 24 with kidney and lung problems,” said Tapas Debnath, Narayan Debnath’s son. Narayan Debnath is survived by two sons and a daughter.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said his passing has created an irreparable void in the world of cartoons. “I am deeply saddened by the demise of noted cartoonist Narayan Debnath,” Banerjee said in a statement.

Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari said Narayan Debnath’s legacy will always be cherished. “Legendary cartoonist Narayan Debnath; creator of immortal fictional characters like ‘Batul the Great’, ‘Handa Bhonda’ & ‘Nante Fante’ has passed away. His legacy will always be cherished by children and grown ups alike. Condolences to family and countless admirers. Om Shanti,” he tweeted.

“This is really unfortunate. Since I was born and brought up in Bengaluru, I did not have the chance to take up Bengali as one of the main languages. But saying so, I do understand the emotion attached to those characters. Narayan Debnath’s creations have accompanied youngsters for a very long time. I have read some English translations of Batul the great,” says Shreya Sen, a Bengali based in Bengaluru. Unfortunately, I cannot read Bengali and that’s why I feel the animations make it really enjoyable. They remind me of Roald Dahl’s The Big Friendly Giant,” says the class XII student of Clarence High School, who runs a resourceful website for ICSE students.

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