An Animated History of India Through RK Laxman’s Common Man

We’ve animated RK Laxman’s ‘Common Man’ cartoons for you. Take a look.

This Republic Day, see a brief history of independent India through RK Laxman’s classic Common Man cartoons in an animated avatar. (Photo: The Quint)

India lost a prolific and unique record-keeper of modern history on 26 January 2015, the day RK Laxman passed away.

Today we revisit some of the creations by the ‘Common Man’ himself, that were drawn at crucial junctures of India’s history since 1947.

And hey, we've animated them just a little bit. Because ideas are forever, and so is RK Laxman’s craft.

The bloody cost of Partition

Kashmir, unsolved since 1947

China, Nehru’s blind spot

Laxman’s tribute to the Republic Day parade

Pokharan I: Indira makes India nuclear

In the ‘70s, Indira Gandhi’s son Sanjay was her big weakness

The Bhopal Gas Tragedy

The Ram Mandir movement and the rise of the BJP

Sonia rules the Congress even today from 10 Janpath

Laxman spotted the rise of Narendra Modi early

Rahul taking the plunge into politics

Final Comment

(This piece has been reposted from The Quint's archives for RK Laxman’s death anniversary. This article was originally published on 26 January 2016)