Rasipuram Krishnaswami Laxman (24 October 1921 – 26 January 2015) was a celebrated Indian cartoonist, illustrator, and humorist. He gained widespread acclaim for his iconic creation, The Common Man, and for his daily cartoon strip You Said It, which began in The Times of India in 1951.
Birth and Childhood
Early Life and Education of R. K. Laxman
R. K. Laxman was born in 1921 in Mysore, Karnataka, into a Tamil Hindu family. His father, a school headmaster, and his mother raised eight children, including six sons and two daughters. Laxman was the youngest sibling, and his elder brother was the renowned novelist R. K. Narayan. Despite spending most of his life in Mumbai, Laxman earned the nickname “Pied Piper of Delhi” for his ability to charm audiences through his work.
From an early age, Laxman was captivated by illustrations in magazines such as The Strand, Punch, Bystander, Wide World, and Tit-Bits. Even before learning to read, he began drawing on floors, walls, and doors around his house, often sketching caricatures of his teachers. Encouraged by praise from a teacher who admired his drawing of a peepal leaf, Laxman started envisioning himself as an artist.
A significant influence on Laxman’s style was the work of British cartoonist Sir David Low, whose cartoons occasionally appeared in The Hindu. For a time, Laxman humorously misread Low’s signature as “cow,” a detail he recalls fondly in his autobiography, The Tunnel of Time.
Laxman’s childhood also included a passion for cricket, and he captained his local team, the “Rough and Tough and Jolly” cricket club. His spirited antics inspired his brother R. K. Narayan to write stories like Dodu the Money Maker and The Regal Cricket Club. However, his idyllic youth faced a disruption when his father suffered a paralytic stroke and passed away about a year later. Despite this loss, his family’s support allowed Laxman to continue his schooling at Maharaja’s Government High School in Mysore.
After high school, Laxman applied to the Sir J. J. Institute of Applied Art in Mumbai to pursue his passion for drawing and painting. However, the dean rejected his application, stating his drawings lacked “the kind of talent” required for enrollment. Undeterred, Laxman went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mysore. During his college years, he honed his skills through freelance artistic projects, contributing cartoons to publications like Swarajya and creating an animated film featuring the mythological figure Narada.
Career
Beginning
R. K. Laxman began his artistic journey contributing to various newspapers and magazines, including Rohan, Swarajya, and Blitz. While studying at Maharaja’s College in Mysore, he illustrated stories by his elder brother R. K. Narayan published in The Hindu and created political cartoons for local newspapers such as Swatantra. He also contributed to the Kannada humor magazine Koravanji, founded in 1942 by humorist M. Shivaram, who played a significant role in encouraging Laxman’s early work.
During a summer job at Gemini Studios in Madras, Laxman further explored his artistic capabilities. His first full-time position as a political cartoonist was with The Free Press Journal in Mumbai, where he worked alongside future political figure Bal Thackeray. In 1951, Laxman joined The Times of India, where he remained for over five decades, solidifying his legacy as one of India’s most celebrated cartoonists.
The Common Man
Laxman’s most iconic creation, The Common Man, became a defining feature of his career. This character, featured in his pocket cartoons in The Times of India, served as a silent witness to the everyday struggles, absurdities, and nuances of Indian democracy. His cartoons often depicted issues of corruption, bureaucracy, and societal challenges, as anthropologist Ritu G. Khanduri observed:
“R. K. Laxman structures his cartoon-news through a plot about corruption and a set of characters. This news is visualized and circulates through the recurring figures of the mantri (minister), the Common Man, and the trope of modernity symbolized by the airplane.”
Other creations
In addition to his political cartoons, Laxman created “Gattu,” the beloved mascot for Asian Paints in 1954. His artistic versatility extended to writing as well, with his debut novel The Hotel Riviera garnering attention. Laxman’s work also featured in Indian cinema, with his cartoons appearing in the Hindi film Mr. & Mrs. ’55 and the Tamil film Kamaraj.
Laxman contributed significantly to television and other media. He illustrated for the acclaimed television adaptation of Malgudi Days, based on R. K. Narayan’s stories, and created characters for the Hindi sitcom Wagle Ki Duniya, set on the Konkan coast. Over the years, he also drew caricatures of notable figures like David Low, T. S. Eliot, Dr. Rajkumar, Bertrand Russell, J. B. Priestley, and Graham Greene, further showcasing his artistic prowess.
Personal life
R. K. Laxman was first married to Kumari Kamala, a renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and film actress who started her career as a child actress under the name “Baby Kamala” and later transitioned to adult roles as “Kumari Kamala.” The couple had no children and divorced in 1960.
Laxman later married his niece, Kamala Laxman, a children’s book author and writer. Reflecting their relationship, Laxman created a cartoon of Kamala for his series The Star I Never Met in the film magazine Filmfare, humorously titled “The star I only met!” The couple had a son, Srinivas Laxman, a Mumbai-based freelance space journalist who frequently contributed to The Times of India.
In September 2003, Laxman suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed on his left side. Despite this setback, he managed to recover partially and continued his creative work. On June 20, 2010, he was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai after being transported via air ambulance from Pune.
Laxman’s personal life was marked by both challenges and resilience, with his family and work remaining central to his identity.
Death and Legacy
R. K. Laxman passed away on January 26, 2015, India’s Republic Day, at the age of 93. He died at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune after being hospitalized three days earlier for a urinary tract infection and chest complications, which eventually led to multiple organ failure. Laxman had suffered several strokes since 2010, which had affected his health in his final years.
Following his death, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) paid tribute to Laxman by posting one of his cartoons on their Facebook and Twitter pages on January 27, 2015. The cartoon celebrated the successful landing of Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) on Mars, showcasing his enduring relevance and ability to capture the nation’s achievements through his art.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that Laxman would be accorded a state funeral, and a memorial would be built in his honor. His body was kept at the premises of the Symbiosis Institute in Pune, near the statue of his iconic creation, The Common Man, allowing admirers to pay their respects. Laxman was cremated at the Vaikunth Crematorium in Pune, marking the end of an illustrious life dedicated to humor, art, and social commentary.
R. K. Laxman remains an enduring figure in Indian art and journalism, with his legacy carried forward by his timeless cartoons and the universal appeal of The Common Man.
Awards and Recognition
R. K. Laxman received numerous accolades throughout his career, recognizing his unparalleled contributions to art, journalism, and creative communication.
- Padma Bhushan – Government of India, 1973
- Padma Vibhushan – Government of India, 2005
- Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts – 1984
- Karnataka Rajyotsava Award – Government of Karnataka, 1983
- Lifetime Achievement Award for Journalism – CNN IBN TV18, 29 January 2008
- Pune Pandit Award (Scholar of Pune Award) – Art & Music Foundation, 2012, for excellence in creative communication
- Honorary Doctorate – University of Mysore, 2004
In addition to these honors, Symbiosis International University in Pune established a chair named after R. K. Laxman to commemorate his legacy and inspire future generations.
R. K. Laxman Museum
The R. K. Laxman Museum, located in Pune, is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the work and life of R. K. Laxman. The museum houses over 35,000 illustrations by the legendary cartoonist, with exhibits displayed across several galleries.
One gallery is entirely devoted to Laxman’s life, featuring rare photographs from his childhood and personal moments. It also includes photographs of his elder brother, the renowned novelist R. K. Narayan. The museum offers a multimedia experience, including a light-and-sound show, providing visitors with an immersive journey into Laxman’s artistic legacy and his contribution to Indian culture.
At the entrance of the museum stands a statue of The Common Man, symbolizing Laxman’s most iconic creation and his connection to the everyday lives of Indians.
Popular culture
- Portrayal in Media: Actor Asif Ali Beg portrayed R. K. Laxman in the Sony LIV original web series Scam 1992, which is based on the 1992 Indian stock market scam involving Harshad Mehta. Laxman was depicted interacting with journalist Sucheta Dalal while working at The Times of India in Mumbai.
- Google Doodle Tribute: On October 24, 2015, Google celebrated R. K. Laxman’s 94th birth anniversary with a dedicated Google Doodle. The illustration honored his legacy as a cartoonist and his iconic creation, The Common Man.
These references in popular culture highlight Laxman’s enduring impact on Indian society and his recognition as a cultural icon.
Multimedia
- India Through The Eyes of R. K. Laxman – Then To Now (CD-ROM).
- R K Laxman Ki Duniya, a television show on SAB TV.
- Wagle Ki Duniya, a television show on DD National.
External links
- Documentary by Films Division of India on YouTube
- Audio-visual presentation by Sansad TV on YouTube (in Hindi)
- Interview with Karan Thapar for the BBC show Face to Face on YouTube