# Alexyz > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Alexyz > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Alexyz.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexyz > Source revision: 1347593469 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Indian cartoonist (born 1944)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Use Indian English|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Alexyz | image = Cartoonist-Illustrator Alexyz, Goa (cropped).jpg | caption = Fernandes in 2014 | birth_name = Aleixo Fernandes | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1944|10|24|df=y}} | birth_place = | other_names = {{hlist|Cartoonist Alexyz{{Cite web|url=https://itsgoa.com/cartoonist-alexyz|title=Cartoonist Alexyz And The Stories That Illustrations Tell|Humans of Goa|date=December 15, 2021|website=ItsGoa}}|Alexyz Fernandes{{Cite web|url=https://vrpp.unigoa.ac.in/workshop-a-workshop-on-cartoon-n-caricature-fun-shop-by-mr-alexyz-fernandes/|title=Visiting Research Professors Programme » Bringing doyens to the campus….! » "Workshop: A Workshop on Cartoon n Caricature Fun Shop" by Mr. Alexyz Fernandes}}}} | education = [Dr. Antonio Da Silva High School](/source/Dr._Antonio_Da_Silva_High_School_and_Junior_College_of_Commerce) | alma_mater = [St. Xavier's College, Bombay](/source/St._Xavier's_College%2C_Bombay) | citizenship = India | occupation = Cartoonist | years_active = 1974–present | spouse = Tecla Fernandes | movement = [Konkani language agitation](/source/Konkani_language_agitation) | known_for = {{ubl| * Creator of the term 'Sportoons' * First cartoonist for the newspaper ''[O Heraldo](/source/O_Heraldo)''}} | website = {{URL|alexyztoons.com}}
{{Web archive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219173838/http://www.alexyztoons.com/}} }} '''Alex Raphael "Alexyz" Fernandes''' (born '''Aleixo Fernandes'''; 24 October 1944), known [mononymously](/source/mononymously) as '''Alexyz''', is an Indian [cartoonist](/source/cartoonist), former [football](/source/amateur_football)er, and adman based in [Siolim](/source/Siolim), [Goa](/source/Goa). He initially gained prominence working for ''[O Heraldo](/source/O_Heraldo)'' during the height of the [Konkani language agitation](/source/Konkani_language_agitation) and [Goa's statehood](/source/History_of_Goa) struggle in the 1980s. Over the course of a career spanning more than five decades in [cartooning](/source/cartooning), he has created over 40,000 [cartoon](/source/cartoon)s,{{Cite web |date=2024-10-02 |title=At 80, Alexyz looks back on a life of wit and humour |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/cafe/at-80-alexyz-looks-back-on-a-life-of-wit-and-humour/414038 |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=Herald Goa |language=en}} with his first one made for the [Wadala](/source/Wadala) [parish magazine](/source/parish_magazine). He is the recipient of the Goa State Cultural Award, the state's highest art and culture award. ==Early life== Alex Raphael Fernandes was born as Aleixo Fernandes on 24 October 1944.{{Cite web |last=Pawaskar |first=Bharati |date=5 October 2024 |title=Alexyz@80: Unfolding a multi-coloured, multilayered personality! |url=https://www.thegoan.net/tg-life-sunday/alexyz80-unfolding-a-multicoloured-multilayered-personality/119865.html |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=The Goan EveryDay |language=en}} He hailed from the town of [Siolim](/source/Siolim), [Goa](/source/Goa), then part of [Portuguese India](/source/Portuguese_India). Alexyz attended [Dr. Antonio Da Silva High School](/source/Dr._Antonio_Da_Silva_High_School_and_Junior_College_of_Commerce) in [Dadar](/source/Dadar), [Bombay](/source/Bombay), for his secondary education. He graduated from [St. Xavier's College in Bombay](/source/St._Xavier's_College%2C_Mumbai) in 1969, receiving a degree in Sociology and Psychology.{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Herald |date=2024-08-08 |title=From football to becoming one of Goa's most celebrated cartoonists: Alexyz shares his life's story |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/cafe/from-football-to-becoming-one-of-goa%E2%80%99s-most-celebrated-cartoonists-alexyz-shares-his-life%E2%80%99s-story/224571 |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=Herald Goa |language=en}} He then completed a [postgraduate degree](/source/postgraduate_degree) in Advertising and [Public Relations](/source/Public_Relations) from the same college. Alexyz always appreciated [cartoon](/source/cartoon)s. Cartoonist [Mario Miranda](/source/Mario_Miranda)'s work inspired him to pursue a [PhD](/source/PhD) in the field of cartoons.{{Cite news |date=2020-02-19 |title=I looked at Mario Miranda as a mentor, and not as competition: Alexyz |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spotlight/i-looked-at-mario-miranda-as-a-mentor-and-not-as-competition-alexyz/articleshow/74202878.cms |access-date=2024-06-20 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} His upbringing in Bombay exposed him to ''[tiatr](/source/tiatr)'' ([Goan](/source/Goan) [musical theatre](/source/musical_theatre)), as his uncle often entertained guests with renditions of popular [Konkani](/source/Konkani_language) songs by [Kid Boxer](/source/Kid_Boxer).{{Cite web |last=Das |first=Arti |date=2018-05-10 |title=On 125th anniversary of tiatr, a caricaturist looks back at the greats of Goa's beloved theatre form |url=https://scroll.in/magazine/876964/on-125th-anniversary-of-tiatr-a-caricaturist-looks-back-at-the-greats-of-goas-beloved-theatre-form |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=Scroll.in |language=en}} His [mononym](/source/mononym) "Alexyz" was chosen, based on a lead character named [Alexis Zorba](/source/Alexis_Zorba) played by [Anthony Quinn](/source/Anthony_Quinn) in the 1964 film ''[Zorba the Greek](/source/Zorba_the_Greek_(film))''.{{Cite web |last=Digital |first=G. T. |date=2024-08-07 |title=Friday Balcao to celebrate life of Goa's ace cartoonist, Alexyz |url=https://www.gomantaktimes.com/my-goa/art-culture/friday-balcao-to-celebrate-life-of-goas-ace-cartoonist-alexyz |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=Goa Travel News on Gomantak Times |language=en}} ==Career== === 1980s: Football career and sports cartoons === Alexyz is a former [football](/source/association_football)er who participated as a member of the Bombay Juniors football team. However, he sustained a [knee injury](/source/knee_injury) that ultimately led him to abandon his athletic career. Following this, he began creating sports-themed [cartoon](/source/cartoon)s. He authored the book ''Sportoons'' (1982), considered India's first collection of sports-themed cartoons, marking his debut in published works. Alexyz then released his next book, ''Howzzat! Century of Cricket Cartoons'' (1987),{{Cite web |last=D'Cruz |first=Dolcy |date=26 Mar 2016 |title=A cartoonist's Goa |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/A-cartoonist%E2%80%99s-Goa-/100282 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=oHeraldo}} the first collection of [cricket](/source/cricket)-themed cartoons to be published in India. The inclusion of verses authored by the Australian cricketer Sir [Don Bradman](/source/Don_Bradman) in this work led to its commendation by the [curator](/source/curator) of the [Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame](/source/Bradman_Museum_%26_International_Cricket_Hall_of_Fame) in [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales), Australia. The museum currently displays three of Alexyz's [artwork](/source/artwork)s. Additionally, he presented an [exhibition](/source/exhibition) centered on cricket in [Adelaide, Australia](/source/Adelaide%2C_Australia), with a special emphasis on Bradman. Alongside his published books, Alexyz was also active as a daily contributor for multiple newspapers located in [Bombay](/source/Bombay), like ''[The Indian Express](/source/The_Indian_Express)'', ''[Mid-Day](/source/Mid-Day)'', ''[The Free Press Journal](/source/The_Free_Press_Journal)'', ''Sunday Observers'', and ''[Reader's Digest](/source/Reader's_Digest)'', as well as for newspapers in [Goa](/source/Goa).{{Cite web |date=15 Dec 2019 |title=Herald's first cartoonist to receive State award |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/Heralds-first-cartoonist-to-receive-State-award/154712 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620184256/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/Heralds-first-cartoonist-to-receive-State-award/154712 |archive-date=2024-06-20 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=oHeraldo}} === Support by Mario Miranda and ''Sportoons'' === [Mario Miranda](/source/Mario_Miranda) was a popular [cartoonist](/source/cartoonist) who was Alexyz's contemporary. Miranda played a significant role in supporting and mentoring Alexyz, as the latter entered the field of [cartooning](/source/cartooning). Miranda started working on cartoons shortly after completing his education, contrasting Alexyz, who took a more extended period, around eight years [post-graduation](/source/post-graduation), to discover his own potential. Miranda was a cartoonist at ''[The Times of India](/source/The_Times_of_India)'' in Bombay, a location in close proximity to the college where Alexyz studied. Miranda introduced Alexyz to [Khalid A. H. Ansari](/source/Khalid_A._H._Ansari), the co-founder of the Bombay-based newspaper ''[Mid-Day](/source/Mid-Day)''. Alexyz soon developed a specialty in creating sports-themed cartoons, coining the term ''Sportoons'', which became widely adopted. Miranda also introduced Alexyz to politician [Erasmo de Sequeira](/source/Erasmo_de_Sequeira), who was responsible for the operations of the Goan newspaper, ''Goa Monitor''. Alexyz later joined the ''West Coast Times'' in [Margao](/source/Margao) and subsequently became the inaugural cartoonist for the Goan newspaper ''[O Heraldo](/source/O_Heraldo)'' during the 1980s. === Late 1980s: Konkani language agitation === {{Main|Konkani language agitation}} Alexyz is known for his [political](/source/political) work during significant regional and [national movement](/source/national_movement)s in India during the 1980s. He was recognised for his [cartoon](/source/cartoon)s published in ''O Heraldo'', which provided him with extensive creative freedom and space to contribute to the ongoing [Konkani language agitation](/source/Konkani_language_agitation) and Goa's statehood struggle. Under the editorship of Rajan Narayan, ''O Heraldo'' granted Alexyz a large allotment of up to 8 [cartoon panels](/source/Comic_strip) per issue. This allowed him to frequently comment on the political events and issues central to the [regional autonomy](/source/regional_autonomy) and [linguistic right](/source/linguistic_right)s campaigns, through his distinctive visual style. Alexyz's cartoons were often reproduced as posters that were used to galvanize support for the [agitation](/source/Political_demonstration)s. Along with his daily cartoons, he also contributed work to the paper's [supplementary section](/source/Supplement_(publishing))s. === Early 2000s: International exhibitions === In 2000, Alexyz was invited by British [Member of Parliament](/source/Member_of_Parliament_(United_Kingdom)), [Keith Vaz](/source/Keith_Vaz), to organise a three-day [exhibition](/source/exhibition) of his cartoons at the [House of Commons in London](/source/House_of_Commons_of_the_United_Kingdom). Alexyz became the only Indian cartoonist to receive such an invitation. He also spent extended periods, over 45 days, working and exhibiting in the United States and Canada over the course of his career. === 2010s: Addressing of social and political issues === Through his work, Alexyz has addressed [societal](/source/societal) and [political issue](/source/political_issue)s within the state of [Goa](/source/Goa). In 2015, he authored a book, ''O To Be In Goa... Today'', dedicating it to three of his close associates: fellow cartoonist [Mario Miranda](/source/Mario_Miranda), musician Emiliano da Cruz, and [journalist-photographer](/source/Photojournalism) Joel D'Souza. Many have observed that Fernandes's cartoons provide a vivid representation of the [zeitgeist](/source/zeitgeist), and their visual nature renders them more accessible and easier to comprehend for the general public. He thus organized a cartoon exhibition and [installations](/source/Installation_art) in December 2015. ''O To Be In Goa... Today'' acts as a visual record of the occurrences in Goa during the period between 2013 and 2015. The exhibition, held at the [Kala Academy](/source/Kala_Academy) in [Panjim](/source/Panjim), Goa, featured 50 [artwork](/source/artwork)s. The collection included pieces that had been featured in a newspaper as well as new creations that had not been exhibited previously. Alexyz's last exhibition before this was in 2008, when he unveiled his book titled ''Goa, Goan, Goaing, Gone...?''{{Cite web |last=Das |first=Arti |date=2015-12-22 |title='Everyday Goa changes for the worst' …says cartoonist Alexyz |url=https://www.navhindtimes.in/2015/12/22/goanews/everyday-goa-changes-for-the-worst-says-cartoonist-alexyz/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620184258/https://www.navhindtimes.in/2015/12/22/goanews/everyday-goa-changes-for-the-worst-says-cartoonist-alexyz/ |archive-date=2024-06-20 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=[The Navhind Times](/source/The_Navhind_Times) |language=en-US}} === 2019–2023: Work on autobiography and later career === {{As of|2019|December}}, Alexyz was in the process of writing an [autobiographical](/source/autobiographical) work, titled, ''50 Funky Years of a Goan Cartoonist''. He had scheduled the publication of the book to coincide with his 75th birthday in 2020. Over the course of his career, his portfolio consisted of thousands of cartoons, including his initial published piece in a [parish magazine](/source/parish_magazine) located in [Wadala](/source/Wadala). For the autobiography, he intended to incorporate insights and commentary from members of the broader [Goan](/source/Goan) [diaspora](/source/diaspora). In addition to his autobiography, Alexyz made artistic contributions to an updated version of ''Greatest Konkani Songs Volume 2'', authored by Francis Rodrigues, who is based in Canada. This edition was released in December 2019 at [Institute Menezes Braganza](/source/Institute_Menezes_Braganza) in [Panjim](/source/Panjim). Despite the financial challenges often associated with a career in [cartooning](/source/cartooning), Alexyz remained actively engaged in sharing his artistic talents. He continued to lead "funshops" - educational and creative [workshop](/source/workshop)s - for children and young aspiring artists. Alexyz firmly believed that the freedom to create cartoons was essential, stating "if there is no freedom then the fun is lost from cartooning." === 2024: Alexyz@80 === To celebrate his 80th birthday in 2024, Alexyz organised a 10-day exhibition titled Alexyz@80 at the Art Chamber-Galeria de Belas Artes in [Calangute](/source/Calangute). Starting on 5 October, it featured 70 artworks by him, including his most significant ones like the [Mandovi bridge collapse](/source/Mandovi_bridge_collapse) and those depicting his travels to other countries. The celebration also featured the screening of a documentary on Alexyz. On 13 October, World Goa Day was celebrated with Alexyz singing two songs. Further, his friends had begun digitizing his artworks and had already scanned 25,000 of them. ==Personal life== Alexyz was based in the city of [Bombay](/source/Bombay), before returning to his ancestral hometown of [Siolim](/source/Siolim) in [Goa](/source/Goa) in the early 1970s.{{Cite web |title=ABC of Alexyz (and Marialena) |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/ABC-of-Alexyz-and-Marialena/195879 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=oHeraldo |archive-date=2024-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620184401/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/ABC-of-Alexyz-and-Marialena/195879 |url-status=live }} Throughout his career, he maintained close personal and professional relationships with several well-known [Goan](/source/Goan) artists and professionals. These included the cartoonist [Mario Miranda](/source/Mario_Miranda), the musician Emiliano da Cruz, and the [photojournalist](/source/photojournalist) Joel D'Souza. Although they worked during the same period and in the same region, Alexyz regarded Miranda as a [mentor](/source/mentor) rather than a competitor. In his later years, Alexyz married a retired teacher, Tecla Fernandes,{{Cite web |title='Even when silent, we converse' |url=https://www.mid-day.com/news/opinion/article/even-when-silent-we-converse-23479873 |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=Mid-day |language=en}} who remains active in teaching at a school close to their residence in Siolim. ==References== {{Reflist}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Alexyz}} Category:Living people Category:1944 births Category:Artists from Goa Category:People from North Goa district Category:Indian humorists Category:Indian editorial cartoonists Category:Indian political artists Category:Sports cartoonists --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Alexyz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexyz) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexyz?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.