R.K. LAXMAN THE AUTHOR

 Sensitivity to surroundings, sharp wit, sound judgement and powerful observation has instilled creativity in R.K. Laxman, also as a writer. His sharp wit bears the stamp of a dyed-in-the-wool humour. Even the minute incident cannot miss his eye. He watches strangers either in the lobby of a hotel or at the airport, amused by the animated conversation that these people have with each other. Hotels and airports are just examples. He had the habit of strolling around any market place, crowded parks, by lanes, streets etc to catch a glimpse of happenings and situations around. In this bargain even, the helpers as in household maids, servant boys, drivers, peons, office boys and name any have not escaped his eye.
 While there is no denying that he is a thorough professional, yet he cannot be framed within the narrow boundaries of his profession nor can he be dismissed of as just a cartoonist. He is an intellect with a keen interest in human nature and thus had this hunger to write about his observation and describe the oddities in men and women placed in various positions. His receptive, razor sharp mind had absorbed literally everything of his fellow beings and recreated them in his writings during his leisure time depicting humans as the most interesting of Nature’s creations.
 Laxman says, ‘’ I don’t look at the world the way everyone does. I enjoy watching and observing people from my cosy corner wondering where streams and streams of human population is heading and for what. It makes me depict them the way I do.’’
 Thus, emerged one of his literary works, which is based on episodic stories on ‘’Servants of India’’. A few of them are a work of fiction and a few which Laxman experienced himself. All the stories are character based. Every character has a certain idiosyncrasies and that is where it becomes interesting. Laxman has used his trademark wit to fictionalise these characters and has given a gripping twist to the story.
 Every story evolves from the character of each servant and takes form according to their characteristics with a lot of inherent drama in all situations. Working class in India forms a majority of the population. They offer their services and earn their livelihood. R.K.Laxman found this world to be interesting, vulnerable and also eccentric at times.

The Common Man – The legend returns in 2019!

 Common Man Works, a joint venture between RK IPR Management and Assemblage Entertainment, is bringing The Common Man back to life in animated form. While RK IPR Management is a company led by family and friends of Shri RK Laxman, Assemblage Entertainment is India’s premier animation and content studio. The launch of this new venture was announced today alongside the book launch of Shri RK Laxman’s previously unpublished works “Timeless Laxman” by Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai.
 The most iconic Indian mascot – The Common Man – looks at a new form of life in the coming months. The common man is a creation by India’s most celebrated cartoonist Padma Vibhushan Shri RK Laxman. The legend that touched the lives of people across the country for over 6 decades, first through individual appearances in comic strips and then a regular illustration in a news daily is now on the way to get a renewed animation avatar. A dedicated team of artists and craftsmen are working on giving The Common Man a renewed identity.
 Mrs. Usha Srinivas Laxman, a key force in continuing the legacy of the Common Man, fondly remembers her father-in-law and says, “Dad was a visionary. He always wanted The Common Man’s character to live beyond him and felt that animation was a compelling and exciting medium. He believed in the power of storytelling and how animated form could render itself very naturally to this character.”
 “Shri RK Laxman is indeed a legend. Using the aid of an adorable and honourable old man, he was able to change the outlook of the largest democracy in the world, one chuckle at a time. What was most powerful however, was that The Common Man’s character had no specific name, age, religion, political views or any such attributes, yet had the most unique identity and personality. Humour and wit will be in abundance and there will be room for a more progressive and current flavour to the new rendition.”
 What makes The Common Man so endearing to the nation is his ability to take a difficult situation and give it a humorous spin. During all these years, he has seen the country go through thick and thin with situations ranging from politics and international affairs to natural calamities, private sector undertakings, the film industry and many more. As a stark observer, his unique ability to be at the right place, at the right time and bring out the irony or comedy in any given situation makes him a favourite with audiences of all age groups. This will remain the driving philosophy of the new venture.

About RK IPR Management Pvt. Ltd

 RK IPR MANAGEMENT PVT. LTD. founded by Late Shri RK Laxman now carries forward the legendary legacy as a tribute to the world-renowned artist for the contribution he has made to the society at large. Well known as the ‘keeper of the conscience’, the creator of India’s most endearing and enduring symbol, ‘The Common Man’, Shri RK Laxman’s cartoons have a distinctive art of expressions, relating the cartoon with day to day problems. His iconic work makes him one of the early social media activists and illustrations with great satirical humour.
 His lifetime collection of precious and original artwork symbolizes the true nature within and outside the political, social, cultural ethos of our country. This work is to inspire people particularly the youth and motivate them to lead better lives while smiling at their own follies and growing stronger in a truer understanding of themselves.
 The historical sweep of the master’s cartooning prowess and his tremendous capacity to connect with all generations is here to stay for years to come and continue to make a mark in the history of India.

Unveiling of R.K.LAXMAN CARTOONING ACADEMY by First Lady of Maharashtra Smt. Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Honourable CM of Maharashtra

 Our family is honoured to associate ourselves with this unique movement, ‘PEACE FOR CHILDREN’, an initiative by Smt. Latha Rajinikanth, wife of the Super Star Rajinikanth. To help and give opportunity to the children and to tap their potentials, under the vertical, ‘House of Creativity’, RK IPR launched ‘ R.K.LAXMAN CARTOON ACADEMY’, on 24th November 2018 in Chennai. We plan to start with a 3/6 months short term; a course for children after school hours and eventually bring this is in as a special subject. In the next 1 year we would target to make it a full fledged cartooning academy, which would be one of its kind in India.