Hyderabad cartoonist Chiluveru Mrityunjay wins first prize in national-level cartoon contest

Hyderabad cartoonist Chiluveru Mrityunjay won first prize in a national competition organised by Cartoon Watch magazine on World Cartoonist Day 2026. His artwork contrasting war and peace in Bastar earned praise for its powerful social message.

Hyderabad: Hyderabad-based noted cartoonist Chiluveru Mrityunjay has achieved another significant success at the national level.

On May 5, on the occasion of ‘World Cartoonist Day 2026,’ he won the first prize in a national-level cartoon competition organised by Chhattisgarh-based ‘Cartoon Watch’ magazine, under the Department of Culture, Chhattisgarh. The competition was conducted on the theme: “In times of war, skip foreign travel – come to Bastar, where there is peace and greenery.”

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Cartoonists from across the country participated. Mrityunjay’s thought-provoking cartoon impressed the judges and won him the first prize along with a cash award. In the winning cartoon, the left side titled “Foreign” depicts a frightening war atmosphere filled with weapons and destruction. The right side, titled “Bastar,” shows a peacock symbolising peace, natural beauty, and greenery. By contrasting these two worlds, the cartoon powerfully conveys the message that a life of peace and harmony with nature is far more valuable than war.

Mrityunjay is currently working as a Cartoon Editor at Namasthe Telangana daily. With this achievement, he has brought pride to Telangana and Hyderabad. He is well known for reflecting social issues through his unique and thoughtful cartoons. On this occasion, many eminent personalities, fellow cartoonists, and admirers congratulated Mrityunjay.