One app for all your study abroad needs
R.K. Laxman is a name that needs less introduction or maybe no introduction at all. He is a renowned Indian cartoonist known for his iconic creation, the “Common Man.” He was a guy with glasses kind of an observer silently commenting on Indian life and politics through his daily comic strip. Yet another work of the cartoonist is “You Said It,” which ran for decades in “The Times of India,” offering a witty and insightful perspective on the nation’s absurdities. This article is bombarded with so much more about RK Laxman’s biography that we are sure you will love reading.
Table of Contents
About RK Laxman
To begin with, we will have a glimpse into his life. So here is something that you will love reading about him.
| RK Laxman Biography | |
| Name | R.K. Laxman |
| Date of Birth | October 24, 1921 |
| Place of Birth | Mysore (now Mysuru), India |
| Place of Death | Pune, India |
| Profession | Cartoonist |
| Famous Work | Daily comic strip “You Said It” |
| Notable Character | The “common man” |
| Character Traits | Bulbous-nosed, bespectacled, dressed in a dhoti and checked coat |
| Themes | Showcasing Indian life and politics |
| Date of Death | January 26, 2015 |
You might also like reading about his brother RK Narayan: Biography, Books, Awards & Works
Early Education & Career
RK Laxman was the youngest of seven siblings in his family. You might already know author R.K. Narayan, he was also one of his brothers.
- RK Laxman’s education was in arts at the University of Mysore.
- He started as a part-time cartoonist, illustrating his brother’s stories for ‘The Hindu’ and creating political cartoons for Swatantra magazine. Also contributed to Korvanji.
- Later on, he began working at Gemini Studios, Madras (now Chennai) for six months in animation.
You might also like reading about the “10 Oldest Universities in India”
RK Laxman’s Famous Works
RK Laxman gave India so many books and cartoons which made people aware of the political situation at that time.
We would like to compile two of his most famous works –
- You Said It– Published in the famous “The Times of India” this iconic cartoon strip features the ‘Common Man’ character, commenting on social and political issues. It was initiated in 1951.
- RK Narayan’s Stories– It was published in ‘The Hindu.’ These were some of his early works illustrating his brother’s stories in The Hindu.
Books by RK Laxman
Some of his famous works are –
| Books | Year of Publication |
| The Hotel Riviera | 1989 |
| 50 Years of Independence Through the Eyes of R.K. Laxman | 1998 |
| Servants Of India | 2002 |
| A Vote for Laughter | 2003 |
| R. K. Laxman: The Uncommon Man : Collection of Works from 1948 to 2008 | 2009 |
| The Very Best of the Common Man | 2012 |
RK Laxman’s Awards and Recognition
Here is a list of top R.K. Laxman’s awards and recognition.
| Award | Bestowed by | Year |
| Padma Bhushan | Govt. of India | 1973 |
| Padma Vibhushan | Govt. of India | 2005 |
| Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts | Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation | 1984 |
| Karnataka Rajyotsava Award | Government of Karnataka | 1983 |
| Lifetime Achievement Award for Journalism | CNN IBN TV18 | 2008 |
| Pune Pandit Award (Scholar of Pune Award) | Art & Music Foundation | 2012 |
| Honorary Doctorate | University of Mysore | 2004 |
FAQs
Kesava Shankar Pillai, born on 31 July 1902, the father of caricature in India, died on 26 December 1989. He is famously known as the father of political cartooning in India.
R.K. Laxman recounts his childhood experiences and budding interest in drawing, inspired by magazine illustrations. The story highlights his fear of arithmetic teacher and the inadvertent creation of a comical caricature, showcasing his early talent for observation and humour.
RK Laxman, the youngest sibling of RK Narayan, developed this love for cartoons and drawings in a very early stage.
Other Relevant Reads
It is everything about RK Laxman biography. If you want to know more about other Famous Personalities then visit our General Knowledge page!