In my good old Bombay (Mumbai) days, where I spent around 10 years, my morning coffee would not be complete without sifting Times of India (TOI). The first thing, I looked into TOI was R.K.Laxman’s cartoon. Two “creativities” I always admired/admire- One was RKL’s caricature and second Amul’s weekly Caricature. Common man and Amul baby- are always in my thought process.
I spilled over coffee many times, bursting into laugh, while looking at RKL’s cartoon and the message. The common man’s many faces were portrayed beautifully by RKL. I strongly believe people who came from Trichy, Thanjavur and places around these have a strong sense of humour, satirical humour.
I could certainly compare RKL’s cartoons with Cho, editor of Tuklaq, speech or his writing. It is nice to see Cho’s writings come into the shape of a cartoon through RKL. Both these persons, I always looked/look at awe.
His rib-tickling and thought provoking political cartoons would have even made Politicians laugh. He was not a head of a State, but many “famous” people of those state respected him.
To single out, Lalu Prasad yadav, sometimes came into attack through his cartoons. He always showed a cow eating paddy husk, indicating his illiteracy and the poor state of the State. In fact, every politician should consider himself fortunate to have had his caricature portrayed by the illustrious cartoonist. Really god-gifted.
Few of his cartoons come into my mind
• One of a visitor to a Government Department approaching the enquiry counter wanting to know where to pay a bribe. (We are still fighting this evil, which is getting worse)
• Common man being approached by scientists for his ability to live without air, water food and shelter
• Another one had a politician answering questions from his audience in an election rally, when asked, what he would do if he was elected, he replies, “Oh that does not bother me at all, What Iam worried is what I will do if Iam not elected”
• Somewhere in 1990s, when Calcutta (Kokatta) was facing an acute power crisis, he came up with a cartoon depicting an executive, at the airport checking counter, in his suitcase and carrying a hurricane lantern as hand baggage
• Once A.B.Vajpayee, who often went abroad, with a briefcase in one hand and an aircraft model in the other hand. The Common Man was there, looking on totally amused.
He embodied the hopes, aspirations and troubles of Indians for over half-a-century and allowed Mumbai to laugh and think.
When TOI came out with Chennai Edition, RKL cartoons were not appearing. I was wondering why ? This was one of the reasons why I did not subscribe this.
I remember when Maharapuram Santhanam, my most beloved musician passed away in a tragic car accident and it came in Mumbai TOI in the first page, I was crest fallen. On that day, the cartoon on some political issue, made by RKL reduced the intensity of my sorrow.
He was a genius like his brother. He will live through his caricature -Common-man.
I spilled over coffee many times, bursting into laugh, while looking at RKL’s cartoon and the message. The common man’s many faces were portrayed beautifully by RKL. I strongly believe people who came from Trichy, Thanjavur and places around these have a strong sense of humour, satirical humour.
I could certainly compare RKL’s cartoons with Cho, editor of Tuklaq, speech or his writing. It is nice to see Cho’s writings come into the shape of a cartoon through RKL. Both these persons, I always looked/look at awe.
His rib-tickling and thought provoking political cartoons would have even made Politicians laugh. He was not a head of a State, but many “famous” people of those state respected him.
To single out, Lalu Prasad yadav, sometimes came into attack through his cartoons. He always showed a cow eating paddy husk, indicating his illiteracy and the poor state of the State. In fact, every politician should consider himself fortunate to have had his caricature portrayed by the illustrious cartoonist. Really god-gifted.
Few of his cartoons come into my mind
• One of a visitor to a Government Department approaching the enquiry counter wanting to know where to pay a bribe. (We are still fighting this evil, which is getting worse)
• Common man being approached by scientists for his ability to live without air, water food and shelter
• Another one had a politician answering questions from his audience in an election rally, when asked, what he would do if he was elected, he replies, “Oh that does not bother me at all, What Iam worried is what I will do if Iam not elected”
• Somewhere in 1990s, when Calcutta (Kokatta) was facing an acute power crisis, he came up with a cartoon depicting an executive, at the airport checking counter, in his suitcase and carrying a hurricane lantern as hand baggage
• Once A.B.Vajpayee, who often went abroad, with a briefcase in one hand and an aircraft model in the other hand. The Common Man was there, looking on totally amused.
He embodied the hopes, aspirations and troubles of Indians for over half-a-century and allowed Mumbai to laugh and think.
When TOI came out with Chennai Edition, RKL cartoons were not appearing. I was wondering why ? This was one of the reasons why I did not subscribe this.
I remember when Maharapuram Santhanam, my most beloved musician passed away in a tragic car accident and it came in Mumbai TOI in the first page, I was crest fallen. On that day, the cartoon on some political issue, made by RKL reduced the intensity of my sorrow.
He was a genius like his brother. He will live through his caricature -Common-man.
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