From childhood till now we all read the Indian news paper The Times of India, not just to check the daily news, but also to the wonderful and creative cartoons and thoughts made by Rasipuram Krishnaswamy Laxman, commonly known as R. K. Laxman. His "Common Man" creation inspired many artist to bring some creative out of their brain and explore it to the world. He was not only a great cartoonist, but also an illustrator and humorist.
Mr. Laxman's earliest work was for newspapers and magazines such as 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. He started this monthly magazine, dedicating it to hilarious/satirical articles and cartoons. He held a summer job at the Gemini Studios, Madras. His first full-time job was as a political cartoonist for the The Free Press Journal in Mumbai, Bal Thackeray, was his colleague.
Later he joined The Times of India, beginning a career that has spanned for over fifty years. His "common man" character, featured in his pocket cartoons,is portrayed as a witness to the making of democracy.
He also created a popular mascot for the Asian Paints group called Gattu in 1954. Laxman has also penned a few novels. 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 and directed by Shankar Nag. Laxman also drew caricatures of friends for private purposes.
R K Laxman, died at the age of 93 at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune on 26 January 2015. He was hospitalized on 23 January for urinary infection and chest-related problems that led to a multi-organ failure. He was put on life support after his condition worsened on 25 January 2015. He had reportedly suffered multiple strokes since 2010.
He was awarded:
- Padma Bhushan- Govt. Of India 1971
- Padma Vibhushan – Govt. of India, 2005
- Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts – 1984
- Lifetime Achievement Award for Journalism – CNN IBN TV18, 29 January 2008
- 'Pune Pandit' Award (Scholar of Pune Award) by the Art & Music Foundation for excellence in 'Creative Communication' – 2012
- Honorary Doctorate awarded to R.K. Laxman from the University of Mysore in 2005
CONTENT SOURCES FROM :Wikipedia
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