The Common Man is a beloved cartoon character created by Indian cartoonist and author R. K. Laxman. For over half a century, the character has symbolized the hopes, struggles, and idiosyncrasies of the average Indian. The Common Man appeared daily in You Said It, a comic strip in The Times of India, starting in 1951.
Origins and Evolution
When R. K. Laxman began his career at The Times of India, he sought to represent India’s diverse states and cultures. Over time, in the rush to meet deadlines, he streamlined his cartoons, gradually reducing background characters until only the now-iconic Common Man remained.
The Common Man is typically depicted as a silent observer of India’s socio-political landscape. He is clad in a dhoti and plaid jacket, with a perpetually puzzled expression, characterized by his wisp of white hair standing upright. According to anthropologist Ritu Gairola Khanduri, “Clad in a dhoti and a plaid jacket, the puzzled Common Man is no dupe: his sharp observations miss no detail of the political circus.”
Other Depictions
- In 1988, the Indian Postal Service featured the Common Man on a commemorative postage stamp to mark the 150th anniversary of The Times of India.
- On October 24, 2015, Google honored R. K. Laxman’s 94th birth anniversary with a Google Doodle featuring the Common Man.
- The Common Man served as the mascot for the low-budget airline Air Deccan.
- The character inspired two Indian television series: Wagle Ki Duniya on DD National and R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya on SAB TV.
- Salman Rushdie referenced the Common Man in his novel The Moor’s Last Sigh (1995) and his autobiography Joseph Anton (2012).
Statues of The Common Man
- An 8.2 feet bronze statue of the Common Man stands at the Symbiosis Institute in Pune, in front of the Vishwabhavan building.
- Another statue, sculpted by Suresh Sakpal, was installed in 2007 along Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan Road at Worli Seaface, Mumbai.
- A third statue is located at the entrance of the R. K. Laxman Museum in Balewadi, Pune.
These depictions and installations highlight the enduring legacy of the Common Man as a symbol of India’s socio-political narrative and the everyday experiences of its people.
External links
- Genesis of "The Common Man" The Hindu