Humour and the Nation: Shankar, Laxman, and the Formation of Cartoon Culture in Early Post-Colonial India

Abstract

This article examines the vital role of cartoons in Indian journalism, particularly Kesava Shankar Pillai and R.K. Laxman, during the prime ministership of Jawaharlal Nehru in the early years of independence. This article analyses the contributions of cartoons as satire in India’s political discourse, Nehru’s relations with the cartoonists, and selected cartoons that deal with the key contemporary political and social issues. It examines how Shankar and Laxman’s works represent the political debates shaping public perceptions regarding India’s socio-political conditions through their distinct artistic styles and outlooks. Their cartoons portrayed criticism and commentary on governance and reflected the unique relationship between Prime Minister Nehru and his approaches to Indian democracy. This article focuses on the enduring influence of their works and the role of satire on India’s democratic discourse in shaping historical narratives.