R. K. Laxman

About R. K. Laxman

Who is it?: Cartoonist & Creator of 'The Common Man"
Birth Day: October 24, 1921
Birth Place: Mysore, Indian
Occupation: Cartoonist, illustrator
Known for: Common Man cartoon
Spouse(s): Kumari Kamala (M. ?–1960; divorced) Kamala Laxman
Relatives: R. K. Narayan (Brother)
Awards: Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Ramon Magsaysay Award
Website: http://rklaxman.com/

R. K. Laxman

R. K. Laxman was born on October 24, 1921 in Mysore, Indian, is Cartoonist & Creator of 'The Common Man". Rasipuram Krishnaswami Laxman, famously known as R. K. Laxman was an Indian cartoonist who created the comic strip ‘You Said It’, featuring the “Common Man”—a silent observer representing the average Indian. The comic strip chronicled the life of the average Indian, his hopes, aspirations, and trouble. The character is a much beloved one among the Indian masses and has entertained generations of Indians over the past several decades. Laxman’s fascination with drawing began early on and he loved to look at the illustrations in magazines and newspapers even before he could read. He began drawing as soon as he could and filled the floors and walls of his house with doodles. It did not take him long to realize that drawing was his life’s calling and set about to make a career for himself as an artist. He applied to study at the J. J. School of Art, Bombay, but his application was rejected. He did not dwell in disappointment and began taking up freelance projects with newspapers, eventually landing his first full-time job as a political cartoonist. It was only later that he joined ‘The Times of India’ where he created the “Common Man”, the character that every Indian would come to identify with. In addition to being a cartoonist he was also a writer and had published numerous short stories, essays and travel articles.
R. K. Laxman is a member of Media Personalities

Does R. K. Laxman Dead or Alive?

As per our current Database, R. K. Laxman has been died on 26 January 2015(2015-01-26) (aged 93)\nPune, Maharashtra, India.

🎂 R. K. Laxman - Age, Bio, Faces and Birthday

When R. K. Laxman die, R. K. Laxman was 93 years old.

Popular As R. K. Laxman
Occupation Media Personalities
Age 93 years old
Zodiac Sign Scorpio
Born October 24, 1921 (Mysore, Indian)
Birthday October 24
Town/City Mysore, Indian
Nationality Indian

🌙 Zodiac

R. K. Laxman’s zodiac sign is Scorpio. According to astrologers, Scorpio-born are passionate and assertive people. They are determined and decisive, and will research until they find out the truth. Scorpio is a great leader, always aware of the situation and also features prominently in resourcefulness. Scorpio is a Water sign and lives to experience and express emotions. Although emotions are very important for Scorpio, they manifest them differently than other water signs. In any case, you can be sure that the Scorpio will keep your secrets, whatever they may be.

🌙 Chinese Zodiac Signs

R. K. Laxman was born in the Year of the Rooster. Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Rooster are practical, resourceful, observant, analytical, straightforward, trusting, honest, perfectionists, neat and conservative. Compatible with Ox or Snake.

Some R. K. Laxman images

Famous Quotes:

I drew objects that caught my eye outside the window of my room – the dry twigs, leaves and lizard-like creatures crawling about, the servant chopping firewood and, of course, and number of crows in various postures on the rooftops of the buildings opposite

— R. K. Laxman

Awards and nominations:

There is a chair named after R. K. Laxman at Symbiosis International University.

Exhibitions of Laxman's cartoons organised by Indian Institute of Cartoonists at Indian Cartoon Gallery.

Biography/Timeline

1921

R. K. Laxman was born in Mysore in 1921 in an Iyer family. His Father was a headmaster and Laxman was the youngest of eight children: namely, six sons and two daughters. His elder brother is Novelist R. K. Narayan. Laxman was known as "Pied Piper of Delhi".

1942

Laxman's earliest work was for newspapers Rohan and magazines including Swarajya and Blitz. While still at the Maharaja College of Mysore, he began to illustrate his elder brother R. K. Narayan's stories in The Hindu, and he drew political cartoons for the local newspapers and for the Swatantra. Laxman also drew cartoons for the Kannada humour magazine, Koravanji (which was founded in 1942 by Dr M. Shivaram who had a clinic in the Majestic area of Bangalore. He started this monthly magazine, dedicating it to humorous and satirical articles and cartoons. Shivaram himself was an eminent humourist in Kannada. He encouraged Laxman.)

1951

Laxman held a summer job at the Gemini RohanStudios, Madras. His first full-time job was as a political Cartoonist for The Free Press Journal in Mumbai, where Bal Thackeray was his Cartoonist colleague. In 1951, Laxman joined The Times of India, Mumbai, beginning a career that spanned over fifty years. His "Common Man" character, featured in his pocket cartoons, is portrayed as a witness to the making of democracy. Anthropologist Ritu G. Khanduri notes, "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 (2012: 304)."

1954

Laxman also created a popular mascot for the Asian Paints Ltd group called "Gattu" in 1954. He also wrote a few novels, the first one of which was titled The Hotel Riviera. His cartoons have appeared in Hindi films such as Mr. & Mrs. '55 and a Tamil film Kamaraj. His creations also include the sketches drawn for the television adaptation of Malgudi Days which was written by his elder brother R. K. Narayan, directed by Shankar Nag, and a Konkan coast based Hindi sitcom, Wagle Ki Duniya. Laxman also drew caricatures of David Low, T.S. Eliot, Bertrand Russell, J.B. Priestly and Graham Greene.

2010

In September 2003, Laxman suffered a stroke which left him paralysed on his left side. He recovered from it partially. On the evening of 20 June 2010, Laxman was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai after being transported by an air ambulance from Pune.

2012

In October 2012 Laxman celebrated his 91st birthday in Pune. During a private gathering at his residence, Laxman cut the cake and was presented a DVD of a documentary titled The Brainy Crow by his fan Rajvardhan Patil, depicting the life and survival of the favourite bird of the Cartoonist. Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, who had a past association with Laxman as a Cartoonist, sent birthday greetings to him, family sources said. Scientist Jayant Narlikar and Symbiosis University chancellor S. B. Mujumdar also came to greet him on the occasion.

2015

Laxman died in Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune on 26 January 2015 (India's Republic Day) at the age of 93. He was hospitalized on three days earlier for urinary tract infection and chest problems that ultimately led to multiple organ failure. He had reportedly suffered multiple strokes since 2010.

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