Cartoonist Wolinski's exhibition

I’ve just had a taste of France. Well, no I didn’t eat escargots or drink wine from the Loire Valley. I’ve been touched by France in a very different way.

I just saw a preview of an exhibition of cartoons by famous French satirist Georges Wolinski, which is part of the month-long French Touch festival. Take my word for it –his work is simply too brill to miss. He’s taken on world leaders and world issues as well as micro ones. From George Bush to Manmohan Singh, everyone’s been incorporated into Wolinski’s world of wit. No wonder he’s called France’s most provocative cartoonist. The work on show gave me a peek into French politics and society. And for travel buffs Wolinski’s travel diaries from Cuba, Thailand, Cambodia and Kabul — also on show — give insightful glimpses of life around the world.

The Alliance Francaise has hosted quite a few interesting exhibitions up until now, but none were quite so incendiary as this one, which has hard-hitting cartoons and even somewhat erotic drawings that will leave their impact on you despite their explicitness. Pardon the French. Or applaud them for being so in your face.

In person, the inimitable, incorrigible 75-year-old Wolinski, who is accompanying his exhibition in Mumbai woos you like no man even half his age can. The perfect blend of Gallic charm and intelligence.

Just like his work.

Georges Wolinski exhibition: April 1-11 from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm (till 1.30 pm on Saturdays); Alliance Francaise de Bombay, Theosophy Hall, New Marine Lines, Mumbai; Tel: 22035993/6187; Entry free.