Manuscript Number : GISRRJ214603

With the demise of the legendary cartoonist R.K.Laxman on Jan 26th, 2015 the curtain was drawn down on an era of cartooning which represents great deal of ethics and balance. Laxman enriched the genesis of political cartooning for decades through his brilliant creation of Common Man which proved to be his outstanding contribution to the columns of the Times of India. Born in the year 1924 in Mysore, as the youngest son of Venkatarama Krishnaswamy Iyer, a very strict head master of Maharaja's High School in Mysore, Rasipuram Krishnaswamy Laxman rose to be a national icon. Much to his disappointment he was denied admission to famous J.J. School of Arts, and his cartoons were returned by the Dean with the remark; 'I see no talent whatsoever. Please continue with your studies.' (Tunnel, 60) It was the time when Laxman was already contributing to local magazine Koravanji, besides illustrating his brother, R.K. Narayan's stories in The Hindu. The rejection of the application, however, didn't discourage Laxman. He continued with his art without any formal education in that sphere and after many years, he was honoured with an invitation by the dean of J.J. School of Arts to distribute prizes to the winners of the annual exhibition of paintings by students.