The R.K. Laxman Museum in Pune is truly a must-visit for every common man! Here, one can see over 25,000 artworks & cartoons by R.K Laxman. Moreover, find India’s most popular cartoonist’s creation and alter ego, The Common Man. Let him take you on an educational journey through the life of his creator. Interact with the cartoons of R.K. Laxman like never before with their 2D cartoons and audiovisual shows!
Furthermore, the R.K. Laxman Museum is more than just a museum; it is an educational institute that conveys to the younger generation the legacy of R.K. Laxman through cartoons by R.K Laxman. This museum does not just house cartoons by R.K Laxman but also his unpublished doodles. The museum allows visitors to interact with his artworks in English, Marathi, and Braille.
Inside the museum
The R.K. Laxman Museum tells the story of the artistic mind of R.K. Laxman, starting from the day he was born to his very last cartoon. Located in the up-and-coming area of Balewadi, the museum is surrounded by cartoons of various famous figures and everyone’s beloved, The Common Man.
The museum goes beyond the 2D works of R.K. Laxman to respect the volume of his work. Ranging from political cartoons to social cartoons to freelance cartoons across subjects. So the one thing you do not have to worry about is getting bored, as you will be doing much more than staring at the walls. The museum also displays illustrations that Laxman created for his brother R.K. Narayan’s, “Malgudi Days.” Additionally, the basement houses the only miniature model ever to exist of the town from Malgudi days.
Moreover, the museum features dedicated rooms showcasing R.K. Laxman’s extensive collections of political cartoons and freelance works. Visitors can enjoy two comprehensive audio-visual shows in a room that also houses a wax statue of R.K. Laxman, accurately recreating his Times of India office. One of the audio-visual shows is a unique Malgudi miniature show, unlike any other in the world. The second show is a film about R.K. Laxman’s life, narrated by The Common Man himself in both English and Marathi!
A chat with Usha Laxman
The museum successfully promotes R.K. Laxman’s legacy, thanks to his daughter, Usha Laxman. Furthermore, we had the privilege of chatting with her, gaining an intimate insight into his world. Who better to share his story than his own family? While the stars of the museum are cartoons by R.K Laxman, the souls of the museum are Usha Laxman, Rohan Kulkarni, and Siddharth Tattooskar.
We asked Usha ma’am what she wishes visitors took away from the museum and R.K. Laxman’s work. She stated that she hopes people come here, feel emotional and happy, and take back their own personal experience with Laxman’s cartoons. She hopes through the common man’s artwork, people are reminded to look around like R.K. Laxman did, as he created wonders just by observation. She hopes visitors will spend time here, look around, and see what an artist can do for society.
Personally, I recommend one spend hours here simply admiring and basking in the simple complexities of cartoons by R.K. Laxman. This museum is a dreamland for artists and stands as a testament to the power of an artist and his passion. Curated marvellously by his daughter, every inch of the museum is filled with humorous artworks, giving one an escape into a world of endless cartoons. Last but not least, do not forget to see The common woman! I am definitely going there next Sunday, and I hope I see you there too!
Address: Laxman Museum, Marvel Brisa, R.K, 24/4, Laxman Nagar, Balewadi, Pune
Contact: 98505 96659
To read more about museums in Pune, click here.
