AS THE CURTAIN WAS DRAWN

Abstract

R. K. Laxman, the pioneer Indian cartoonist whose cartoons have enlivened the pages of the Times of India for decades, comments on the political phantasmagoria of the country through his legendary Common Man,who is seen hanging around in the background of almost all the significant happenings as a representative of the mute millions of our country. The creator of the illustrious Common Man breathed his last on Jan. 26, 2015,having suffered a multi-organ failure. He was accorded a state funeral at Vaikunth Crematorium inPune. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis,announced a memorial to honour the renowned cartoonist. With his demise,the curtain is drawn on an era of cartooning representinga great deal of ethics and balance. The present article is a tribute to the legendary artist whose birth centenary passed unnoticed in 2021.