The answer may surprise you, if you did not know that the Dilbert is arguably the businessman's favourite cartoon. Yes, there are many who turn to the world of Dilbert for relief, and perhaps, inspiration to make sense of the confusing & convoluted events of the business day. And, what is fairly common today is to see a Dilbert or Glasbergen cartoon at the start of a powerpoint presentation.

So, what is it about cartoons that make many of us turn to it the moment we see our daily newspaper? Children grow up with cartoons, both on television & print, and the assets/newet2015 in it are firmly imprinted in their minds. So strong is the imagery at times that for the semi-educated this becomes their world-view. Adults too enjoy cartoons for multiple reasons. A common belief is that cartoons take us to the 'other world' (rather like a movie) where there is safety for us and we can laugh at our own foolishness, or even take potshots at the world of management populated with the 'pointy-haired' bosses.

However, the cartoonists' tribe has faced many risks all over the world. In particular, political cartoonists are the favourite targets of those who feel slighted. Be it Europe (Charlie Hebdo & the Danish cartoonists are cases in point), or South East Asia (Malaysia & Singapore, for instance), cartoonists have been under fire. Indian cartoonists too have been at the receiving end of those without a funny bone, waiting to take umbrage over every imagined slight. The assault has been physical as well as legal (charges of sedition leading to severe imprisonment has been the standard threat instigated by politicians who have felt insulted by cartoons). Fortunately, business cartoonists face no threats. Case in point: Scott Adams has sailed high on the Dilbert wave!

Is cartooning a difficult profession? Any cartoonist - and not just those tasked with delivering a daily piece - will tell you that coming up with the cartoon that suits the occasion is not an easy assignment. The agony increases with the deadline approaching, and after all the editor's sensibilities are not easy to cater too! The creative juices have to flow just at the right time, and the message has to be appropriate to the subject and the discerning audience.

Indeed, it takes a special breed of persons who can connect various common-place events (be it office, society or the political world) and give it just the right twist to bring a laugh or smile to our face & sometimes provide an insight like no other. For now, let us revel in the creativity that fuels a cartoonist's pen, and may their tribe increase.

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