B. M. Gafoor

B. M. Gafoor (4 May 1942 - 13 November 2003) was an Indian cartoonist and comic artist. He was one of the most prominent cartoonists from Kerala and was the founder of Kerala Cartoon Academy. Within a career of more than three decades, he created some of the most popular comics including the social satire Kunjamman.

A Thalassery native, Gafoor was a student at St. Joseph's High School, Kozhikode when M.V. Devan began teaching him painting. He was exposed to another prominent painter, K. C. S. Paniker when he attended the Government School of Arts and Crafts, Chennai, where Paniker served as principal.

Gafoor served as a cartoonist for many publications, including the Chandrika, Shankar's Weekly, Deshabhimani and Cut Cut, before settling down for the remainder of his career at Mathrubhumi.[2] He remained at the last from 1980 until 2003. He also had his own magazine for a time, Niramala, which he had started during the Emergency.

In 2000, during his tenure at Mathrubhumi, Gafoor became Creative Animation Director with the Nest company in Ernakulam, remaining for a year. He is also the founder of BMG Group, an animation company based in Kozhikode. He played a major role in establishing the Kerala Cartoon Academy and served as its founder secretary. He was also a key figure in establishing Calicut Art Gallery.

Gafoor died of a heart attack on 13 November 2003. He was aged 61. In his honor, Kerala Government has established an annual award named "Gafoor Smaraka Puraskaram".

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