The exhibition, organised in line with Unmad's successful show in 2003 in Chittagong, has drawn impressive turn out and interest. It began on May 2 at the Alliance Francaise Dhaka and will continue till May 9. The Exhibition is open everyday from 5pm to 8pm.

"We are actually into our 27th year. It is a late 25-year celebration but our idea of creating an atmosphere where the general public and the cartoonists can interact, is proving successful at this show. That is also making more people interested about this profession," said editor of Unmad Ahsan Habib.

"There should be appreciation for the achievements of cartoonists of the country. Sadly, this does not happen in Bangladesh. We have introduced the Unmad Cartoonist Award from this year so that people feel inspired to pursue their creativity," added Habib.

The inaugural award was won by Daily Amar Desh's cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore.

The exhibition features 70 cartoons of 23 local cartoonists whose concepts are varied. The popular themes are 'Beautification of Dhaka', which actually criticises the city authorities for ignoring the main problems of the capital in the name of beautification, and a 3D cartoon on US President George W Bush titled 'Bush Barbecue'.

"The concept and artwork of one of the pieces where it shows that the United States want to capture the whole world by force was ingenious. Another work showing a pair of scissors depicting the government's cutting down the rights of journalists was very thoughtfully done also," said Neelia, apparently moved by the exhibition.

Raihan Hossain, a government official was seen explaining a cartoon to his nine-year old.

"Definitely my child will not understand the deeper meanings of these caricatures but as she loves to draw, I felt that this exhibition might give her an idea about how creative comic strips are prepared."

Another parent said the show would give impressionable minds food for thought. Organisers meanwhile, informed that many cartoon enthusiasts were actually buying some of the works at the show.

The positive response from the crowd was evident on the large visitors' comment book. Almost all the pages have been filled with remarks and sketches of admiration.