Known for illustrating the Common Man, RK Laxman the greatest ever cartoonist passed away on the evening of 26^th January 2014 at the age of 93. Born on 24^th October 1921 in Mysore as Rasipuram Krishnaswamy Iyer Laxman, his creation the Common Man has represented the hopes, aspirations, and shortcomings of an average Indian through his comic strip ‘You Said It’ in the Times of India.

The comic strip started in 1951; it portrayed the nuances of India’s state where the Common Man stood as the silent witness of all the actions. A postage stamp featuring the Common Man was issued in 1988 on the 150^th anniversary of the TOI; also a 10 feet high bronze statue of the character was erected at the Symbiosis Institute, Pune.

With a bewildering look and a wisp of white hair, this man continued to bring smiles, contemplation and opened our eyes with his stark satire on the system.

RK Laxman may have departed; he left the Common ‘not so common’ Man behind with a long trail of his thoughts, words and silent remarks that will never fail to make us see the obvious through the spectacled eyes.

Here are a few of his famous illustrations.

Last, but certainly not the least. The Common Man with his creator RK Laxman.