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Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Laxman, fondly known as R.K. Laxman, was one of India's most celebrated cartoonists, best recognised for his iconic creation, The Common Man.
R.K. Laxman was born in Mysore on October 24, 1921; he displayed an innate talent for sketching from an early age. Over the decades, his cartoons became an essential part of India’s socio-political discourse, offering sharp yet humorous critiques of politicians, bureaucracy, and the everyday struggles of the ordinary citizen.
R.K. Laxman's long-standing association with The Times of India made his daily cartoon strip, "You Said It", a household favourite. With an unmatched ability to capture the essence of Indian life through his drawings, R.K. Laxman’s legacy continues to inspire generations of artists and journalists.
In this article, let us explore more about R.K. Laxman's early life, his education, along with his career and achievements.
Table Of Contents:
R.K. Laxman remains India’s most celebrated cartoonist, with "The Common Man" continuing to symbolise the hopes and struggles of ordinary citizens. His work was exhibited at the R.K. Laxman Museum in Pune, and his cartoons are still studied and admired for their sharp political wit and timeless humour.
| Early Life and Education (1921–1942) | |
| Full Name: | Rasipuram Krishnaswamy Iyer Laxman |
| Pen name: | R.K. Laxman |
| Born On: | October 24, 1921 |
| Birthplace: | Mysore, Karnataka, India |
| Siblings | R.K. Laxman was the youngest of six siblings |
| R.K. Laxman’s Brother | R.K. Narayan (author of Malgudi Days) |
| 1930s: | As a child, R.K. Laxman showed a keen interest in drawing and sketched illustrations inspired by nature, street life, and politics. |
| 1940: | Applied to the J.J. School of Art, Mumbai, but was rejected due to lack of formal training. |
| 1942: | Graduated with a degree in Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics from Mysore University. |
| Early Career Struggles (1943–1947) | |
| 1943–1944: | Started illustrating for his brother R.K. Narayan’s stories in The Hindu. |
| 1944 : | Worked for a Kannada humour magazine, Koravanji, in Bangalore. |
| 1945: | Moved to Mumbai and freelanced for publications like Blitz and The Free Press Journal. |
| 1946–1947: | Partnered with the famous journalist Bal Thackeray at The Free Press Journal before quitting due to creative differences. |
| Rise to Fame with The Times of India (1947–1970s) | |
| 1947: | Joined The Times of India as a cartoonist. |
| 1951: | Created the iconic character "The Common Man", who became the face of Indian middle-class struggles. |
| 1954: | His daily political cartoon strip, You Said It, debuted in The Times of India, running for over five decades. |
| 1960s–70s: | Became India’s most influential cartoonist, known for satirizing political leaders like Indira Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Morarji Desai. |
| 1975: | Faced censorship during the Emergency, but his cartoons remained subtly critical of the government. |
| Peak Years and International Recognition (1980s–2000s) | |
| 1984s: | Received the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards. |
| 1988s: | Published The Distorted Mirror, a collection of his best works. |
| 1990s: | His Common Man was featured on a postage stamp by the Indian government. |
| 2005: | Honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award. |
| Later Years and Legacy (2000s–2015) | |
| 2010: | Published his autobiography, The Tunnel of Time. |
| 2011: | Suffered a stroke, which limited his ability to draw. |
| January 26, 2015 | Passed away at the age of 93, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy in political satire and cartooning. |
Rasipuram Krishnaswamy Iyer Laxman, popularly known as R.K. Laxman was born on October 24, 1921, in Mysore, Karnataka, India. He was the youngest of six siblings, including the famous writer R.K. Narayan, best known for Malgudi Days. Laxman grew up in a modest South Indian household that valued literature, storytelling, and art.
From an early age, Laxman showed a keen interest in drawing. He would sketch scenes from his surroundings, illustrating street life, nature, and people he observed. He was fascinated by the cartoons published in newspapers and often drew inspiration from them. Despite limited access to formal art training, his passion for sketching grew stronger.
For his primary education, Laxman attended local schools in Mysore. He was particularly fond of observing teachers, classmates, and daily happenings, often translating his observations into humorous sketches. His notebooks were usually filled with doodles rather than class notes, showcasing his natural talent.
After completing school, he enrolled at the University of Mysore, pursuing a Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics degree. Although he wanted to join the prestigious J.J. School of Art in Mumbai, his application was rejected due to a lack of formal artistic training. This setback did not deter him, and he continued to refine his skills through self-learning and practice.
During college, Laxman started illustrating for his brother R.K. Narayan's stories, published in The Hindu. His early drawings gained attention, gradually paving the way for a professional career in cartooning.
Laxman's early experiences, keen sense of humour, and sharp observation skills significantly shaped his future as India's most celebrated cartoonist. His ability to capture the essence of daily life and human expressions laid the foundation for his illustrious career in journalism and satire.
Also Read: Kuvempu: Karnataka’s Iconic Poet and Jnanpith Award Winner.
R.K. Laxman started his career by initially illustrating stories for his brother, R.K. Narayan, the famous author of Malgudi Days. He then worked with several small publications before joining The Free Press Journal in Mumbai. Later, he became a cartoonist for The Times of India, where he worked for nearly 50 years.
Early Career and Struggles:
R.K. Laxman’s journey as a cartoonist began with small freelance assignments. While still in college, he illustrated stories for his brother, R.K. Narayan, which was published in The Hindu. His early drawings caught the attention of publishers, leading to opportunities in local magazines.
After completing his degree, Laxman moved to Mumbai, hoping to establish himself as a professional artist. He worked for several small newspapers, including Koravanji, a Kannada humour magazine. His first breakthrough came when he joined The Free Press Journal, working alongside Bal Thackeray, who became a prominent political leader. However, creative differences led Laxman to resign, setting the stage for his most significant career move.
Rise to Fame with The Times of India:
In 1947, R.K. Laxman joined The Times of India, where he would work for over five decades. In 1951, he introduced his most iconic creation, "The Common Man", a silent observer of Indian politics and society. This character became the face of his daily cartoon strip, "You Said It", which ran for more than 50 years, making it one of the longest-running cartoon series in Indian journalism.
Through The Common Man, Laxman humorously yet sharply critiqued political leaders, social issues, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. His ability to blend satire with wit made his cartoons a staple for newspaper readers across India.
R.K. Laxman was famous for his sharp political cartoons, social satire, and the creation of The Common Man, a symbol of the struggles of ordinary people in India. His cartoons humorously criticised politicians, bureaucracy, and social issues. Some of his most notable works include:
Major Achievements and Recognition:
R.K. Laxman’s contributions to journalism and cartooning earned him widespread recognition, both in India and internationally. Some of his notable achievements include:
Other Notable Works:
Apart from his newspaper cartoons, Laxman illustrated numerous books, advertisements, and government projects. His illustrations for R.K. Narayan’s books, including Malgudi Days, remain iconic. He also authored an autobiography, "The Tunnel of Time", which provides insights into his life and career.
Legacy and Influence:
R.K. Laxman’s cartoons remain relevant even today, as they captured the essence of Indian society with remarkable accuracy. His influence on political satire and journalism is unparalleled, inspiring generations of cartoonists and artists.
Even after his passing on January 26, 2015, at the age of 93 in Pune, India.
Laxman’s cartoons were known for their simple yet expressive line work. His characters often had exaggerated features, and his humor was subtle yet impactful. He masterfully combined satire with realism, making his cartoons relatable and timeless.
Even today, his work continues to inspire cartoonists, journalists, and storytellers. The R.K. Laxman Museum in Pune showcases his cartoons, sketches, and personal belongings, preserving his legacy for future generations. His influence on political satire remains unmatched in India.
Rasipuram Krishna Swamy Iyer Laxman’s contribution to Indian journalism and political satire is remarkable. Through his simple yet powerful cartoons, he gave a voice to the common man and became an observer of the country's changing political and social landscape.
R.K. Laxman's artistic brilliance and keen sense of humour allowed him to critique authority without malice, making his work both thought-provoking and universally relatable.
Even after his passing in 2015, his work remains relevant, reminding us of the power of satire in holding society accountable. R.K. Laxman was not just a cartoonist—he was a storyteller, a critic, and, above all, a champion of the people.
Stay tuned with JAIN PU College to learn more about the great personalities in Karnataka.
The full name of R.K. Laxman was Rasipuram Krishnaswamy Iyer Laxman.
R.K. Laxman was an Indian cartoonist, illustrator, and humorist.
R.K. Laxman was born on October 24, 1921, in Mysore, Karnataka, India.
Laxman was known as the "Pied Piper of Delhi".
R.K. Laxman was best known for creating The Common Man, a character that represented the everyday struggles of Indian citizens. His political cartoon strip “You Said” was published in The Times of India for over five decades.
R.K. Laxman’s character “The Common Man” appeared in thousands of Laxman’s cartoons, silently observing political and social developments. Thus, he became a symbol of resilience and the voice of ordinary Indians, appearing in advertisements, postage stamps, and even a television series.
R. K. Laxman was known as the "Pied Piper of Delhi" because he was a popular cartoonist who created cartoons that mocked international figures and local issues.
R.K Laxman's earliest work was for newspapers, Rohan and magazines, including Swarajya and Blitz.
Rasipuram Krishnaswamy Iyer Laxman was best known for his daily cartoon strip. He achieved many awards and recognition for his creations, including:
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