Gopalan, a Tamil illustrator and cartoonist by the name of Gopulu, was most recognised for his work for the humorous publication Ananda Vikatan. He was born in 1924 and studied at the Kumbakonam School of Art. Gopulu contributed as an illustrator to such well-known serials as Washingtonil Thirumanam and Thillana Mohanambaland. Gopulu founded Ad Wave Advertising in 1972 as his own advertising business. He also created the logos for Sun TV and the Tamil magazine Kungumam. On November 26, 1991, the Tamil Nadu government presented Gopulu with the 'Kalaimamani' award. He has received the M. A. Chidambaram Chettiar Award and the Murasoli Award. During the opening ceremony of the Indian Institute of Cartoonists in Bangalore in 2001, he received the lifetime achievement award.