The renowned cartoonist Chellan, celebrated for giving life to the beloved comic character Lolan, passed away on Sunday in Kottayam at the age of 77. His final rites are scheduled for 3 p.m. on Monday in Vadavathoor.
Born in 1948 to Paulose and Martha, Chellan embarked on his creative journey in 1970, initially as a signboard painter. His foray into cartooning quickly followed with the launch of his popular column, Samuhyam Pappu Aashan, in the Janayugam weekly. Over decades, Chellan’s distinctive cartoons graced the pages of nearly all major Malayalam publications, including various comic magazines. His artistic versatility also extended to book design, where he created cover art for over a hundred titles.
The 1980s marked a significant period for Chellan with the emergence of Lolan, a character that captivated audiences and became a widespread cultural icon across Kerala’s college campuses. First introduced in Mangalam weekly in 1980, Lolan charmed Malayali readers for more than twenty-five years. Known for his distinctive bell-bottom pants, unique hairstyle, and expressive gestures, Lolan perfectly captured the essence of carefree youth. The character’s immense popularity led to the name “Lolan” becoming a colloquial term for the charming, often mischievous, campus romantic figures of that era.
Lolan’s appeal transcended geographical boundaries through a cartoon syndicate, making appearances for two years in a Hindi daily’s Sunday edition, four years in Kannada publications, and two years in Tamil. The character also transitioned successfully to television, with a show starring actors Indrans and Naseer Sankranti in key roles, further cementing Lolan’s place in popular culture.
After a distinguished career, Chellan retired from the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) as a painter in 2002. He resided in Vadavathoor with his family and is survived by his wife, Maryamma Philip, and their son, Sareesh.
As a testament to his profound impact on the art of cartooning, the Kerala Cartoon Academy honored him by bestowing upon him the title of a distinguished member, recognizing his significant contributions to the field.