RK Laxman is renowned and fondly remembered to this day for his ability to distil the mood of an entire nation into one bespectacled, dhoti-clad character – The Common Man. With nothing more than a pen, wit sharper than a sword, and an unassuming observer of daily life, Laxman gave Indians both laughter and perspective. His cartoons weren’t just funny; they were truth captured in ink.
In this article, we’ll explore the genius of RK Laxman, the story behind The Common Man, his iconic cartoons, the popular show RK Laxman Ki Duniya, and the books that keep his legacy alive.
About RK Laxman
Rasipuram Krishnaswami Laxman, better known as RK Laxman, was born in 1921 in Mysore. The younger brother of celebrated writer RK Narayan, he carved his own space in Indian literature and journalism – not with novels, but with biting humour and sketch lines.
(Read: The Storyteller Of Malgudi: The Life And Legacy Of RK Narayan)
Starting out by illustrating stories for newspapers, Laxman found his true canvas when he joined The Times of India in the late 1940s. Over the decades, his cartoons became an integral part of morning chai and newspaper routines across India. His style was deceptively simple, yet each drawing carried layers of social commentary, exposing hypocrisy, poking fun at politicians, and highlighting the absurdity of everyday bureaucracy.
Today, when people search about RK Laxman, they aren’t just looking for a biography, they’re looking for the man who defined satire in independent India.
The Birth of The Common Man
R K Laxman’s greatest legacy remains The Common Man, first sketched in 1951. This quiet observer with a checked coat, round glasses, and a permanently bewildered look on his face became the symbol of the Indian middle class.
The comic first appeared in 1951. When Laxman began sketching for The Times of India, he initially tried to capture the diversity of India by drawing people from different regions and cultures. But as the pace of daily deadlines grew, the background characters slowly disappeared, until only one figure remained – the now-iconic Common Man.
Whether it was rising prices, government corruption, or cricketing scandals, The Common Man was always there, silently standing in the background, holding up a mirror to society. Even today, if you Google RK Laxman common man, you’ll see decades of strips where this humble character witnessed it all.
Did you know?
- The Common Man featured on a commemorative postage stamp released by India Post in 1988, marking the 150th anniversary of The Times of India.
- On 24 October 2015, Google honoured RK Laxman’s 94th birthday with a doodle featuring The Common Man.
- The character was chosen as the mascot for Air Deccan, India’s first low-cost airline.
- A life-size bronze statue of The Common Man stands on the premises of The Times of India building in Mumbai, becoming a photo stop for visitors.
RK Laxman Ki Duniya – From Paper to Screen
So enduring was The Common Man’s popularity that he eventually stepped off the newspaper page and onto television. The popular show RK Laxman Ki Duniya brought his world to life, turning the ink-sketched figure into a moving, breathing character on screen.
Aired in 2011, the show depicted the trials and tribulations of ordinary Indians, with humour and warmth at its heart. It introduced Laxman’s satire to younger audiences who may not have grown up with newspapers.
Books by and about RK Laxman
So enduring was The Common Man’s popularity that he eventually stepped off the newspaper page and onto television. The popular show RK Laxman Ki Duniya brought his world to life, turning the ink-sketched figure into a moving, breathing character on screen.
Aired in 2011, the show depicted the trials and tribulations of ordinary Indians, with humour and warmth at its heart. It introduced Laxman’s satire to younger audiences who may not have grown up with newspapers.
Why The Common Man Still Matters Today
In 2025, decades after Laxman first drew him, The Common Man still stands tall. His checked coat may look dated, but his expression – a mix of confusion, helplessness, and resilience – is as relevant as ever.
Given the rising costs of living, political drama and endless red tape, little has changed for ordinary citizens. And perhaps that is why Laxman’s cartoons remain timeless. They remind us that laughter can be a form of resistance, and that sometimes silence speaks louder than words.
Through The Common Man, RK Laxman ensured that generations of Indians never lost sight of who truly bore the brunt of the nation’s ups and downs: the people themselves.
So, the next time you see that bewildered little figure on a book cover or a cartoon clipping, remember, he’s all of us.
FAQs
Who is RK Laxman?
RK Laxman was India’s most celebrated cartoonist, known for his sharp political satire and for creating The Common Man.
What is RK Laxman’s Common Man?
A bespectacled, dhoti-clad character symbolising the Indian middle class, who silently observed the nation’s politics and social quirks.
Which are the most famous RK Laxman cartoons?
His daily strip You Said It, which ran in The Times of India for over five decades, is considered iconic.
Is there a book on RK Laxman’s Common Man?
Yes, several collections such as The Common Man Collection that focus on this character.
What is RK Laxman Ki Duniya?
It was a television show inspired by his cartoons, bringing The Common Man’s stories to screen.
