Indian political cartoonists are a rather undocumented lot. While one finds an array of information about them scattered around in the electronic and print media, there is not one comprehensive resource outlining the lives and times of these interesting men and women. When one thinks of Indian cartoonists, very few names other than R.K.Laxman come to mind. True, he has easily been one of the most prolific exponents of the craft, but there are many others who deserve equal mention. Most of these people were literary giants in their own rights, winning various national and international accolades. Many of them have been actively involved in many other disciplines, from film making to doll manufacturing to social service, showcasing the great amount of creative energies abounding inside. All of them were certainly thinkers, commenting in their own unique way on various scenarios in the country and outside, slowly but surely contributing to social change. There is a great deal to learn from the lives of these cartoonists and the work they have done and the interesting takes that they have on social issues and life in general. The purpose of this paper is to attempt at introducing the reader to the more important names that have shaped the Indian cartooning tradition. It attempts to outline their achievements and works and some of the more interesting aspects of their lives. After going through this, the reader, hopefully, will have a better understanding of the shape and texture of the Indian cartooning scenario, of the people, newspapers , journals and institutes which define it and have shaped it. On a personal note, although it might not be comprehensive, it would be the kind of document I would liked to have come across while researching on Indian cartoonists.
