In India, there is a vibrant comic magazine scene with publications in various languages. Additionally, many newspapers across different Indian languages include cartoons in their daily or periodic prints. While there used to be popular magazines featuring satirical cartoon strips, they have largely disappeared. However, this void was filled by Triambak Sharma, a young cartoonist, who launched a bilingual monthly cartoon magazine called CARTOON WATCH in 1996. The magazine has been consistently published every month since its inception. Triambak Sharma began his cartoon journalism career in 1991, creating cartoons for newspapers like Navabharat and Dainik Bhaskar. However, he sought new avenues to showcase his cartoon creativity and launched the only monthly cartoon magazine in India, CARTOON WATCH, in 1996. The magazine's successful two-decade run demonstrates his financial success and innovative approach. Triambak Sharma also launched the internet edition of CARTOON WATCH with the website www.cartoonwatchindia.com. The magazine was inaugurated by the then Governor of Chhattisgarh, Shri Dinesh Nandan Sahay.
Triambak Sharma's achievements extend to the international level. In 2008, he organized the two-week-long Cartoon Exhibition titled "Life is a Joke" at the Nehru Center in London. He also appeared in an interview on BBC London alongside British cartoonist Ron MacGary. Triambak Sharma was invited to the South Asian Cartoon Congress held in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he joined cartoonists from five countries. During his second visit to London, he was nominated as a Lifetime Guest Member by the London Cartoon Museum.
At the national level, Triambak Sharma was felicitated at the Indian Cartoon Festival in Hyderabad in 2000. He was also invited to the inaugural ceremony of the Indian Institute of Cartoonists in Bangalore. In Delhi, he received the Dalit Sahitya Samman and presented a paper at the Language of Cartoon and Comic Art conference in Mysore. He served as a guest speaker at the symposium on the future prospects of humorous articles in Lucknow. Additionally, he received the Srijan Samman in Chhattisgarh and was honored at the Orissa Mathkhai Mahotsav. Triambak Sharma participated in the Cartoon-Caricature National Camp organized by the Kerala Lalitkala Akademi. He was also recognized by Junior Chamber International (JCI) India, Pondicherry, with the Ten Outstanding Young Indian (TOYI) Award in 2008. His interview on the subject of "Cartoon is a Global Language" was aired on PodUniversal, the first podcast magazine published by Prime Point Foundation in India. Furthermore, his name has been included in the Limca Book of Records, the India Book of Records, and Unique World Records as the editor of the only monthly bilingual cartoon magazine in India.
At the state level, Triambak Sharma received felicitations from the first Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh during the state-level conference of Shramjeevi Patrakar Sangh in Raipur. He has been interviewed by various television channels, including Doordarshan, and has published cartoon collections of veteran and young cartoonists. Triambak Sharma has also published a cartoonist directory and plans to establish the first Cartoon Museum of India in Chhattisgarh. His work has been featured in magazines like India Today, New Global Indian, and the Sunday Special of the Times of India. Notably, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India, launched a new cartoon character created by Triambak Sharma named Prince during his visit to Chennai in 2008.
Triambak Sharma has utilized his art for social awareness by developing cartoons to promote public awareness. He has published various comic series on eminent personalities and tourist places in Chhattisgarh. Additionally, he has created comics featuring Mr. Narendra Modi, tourist spots in Chhattisgarh (Sirpur and Rajim), and famous personalities from Chhattisgarh. His contributions to society include using cartoons as publicity material to raise awareness among the public. Triambak Sharma has dedicated his life to popularizing the art of cartooning through the publication of CARTOON WATCH for two decades, demonstrating his commitment to cartoons despite the challenges and economic feasibility associated with running a cartoon magazine.
Triambak Sharma's achievements have been recognized through numerous awards. At the state level, he has been felicitated by the first Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, the Cultural Minister of Chhattisgarh, and received the Ten Outstanding Young Indian (TOYI) Award from JCI. He has also received the Sirjan Samman, Chhattisgarh Pratibha Samman, and Kala Samman by Akhil Bhartiya Sahitya Parishad. On a national level, he was felicitated at the Indian Cartoon Festival in Hyderabad, received the Ten Outstanding Young Indian (TOYI) Award from JCI in Pondicherry, and was honored at the Orissa Mathkhai Mahotsav. He was also felicitated by former Election Commissioners Mr. T.S. Krishnamurty and N. Gopalaswamy in Chennai. Internationally, Triambak Sharma was honored at the South Asian Cartoon Congress in Kathmandu and nominated as a Lifetime Guest Member by the London Cartoon Museum. His cartoons have been published in The Wall Street Journal. In terms of contributions to the field, Triambak Sharma launched the only monthly cartoon magazine in India, CARTOON WATCH, in 1996.
Over the years, the magazine has become a platform for budding, senior, and existing cartoonists across India. He also initiated the felicitation of senior cartoonists with Lifetime Achievement Awards through CARTOON WATCH. Additionally, he has published books on the works of veteran cartoonists and created three books on the late cartoonist Mr. B. L. Wahi of Chhattisgarh. Triambak Sharma's character, Prince, was created based on suggestions from former Indian President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. The character represents the new generation of Indian youth and is published in the monthly magazine by the Prime Point Foundation. The first cartoon featuring Prince was launched by Dr. Abdul Kalam himself, with his autograph, on July 24, 2008, at Raj Bhavan in Chennai.
In terms of contributions to society, Triambak Sharma has published various comics on different issues. He has created comics highlighting regional heroes, state government schemes, and awareness about Mr. Narendra Modi. He has also organized cartoon competitions on themes like energy conservation, anti-smoking, and saving food and water to raise awareness among society. Furthermore, Triambak Sharma has been organizing the Mahamurkh Sammelan for the past 21 years, conveying societal messages in a humorous manner.