A mention of cartoonist and illustrator RK Laxman immediately conjures neat scribbles that has given the country one of its most lasting icons — the Common Man. He is ubiquitous — he’s in your morning newspaper, mute but observant of the state of affairs of the country, and his effigy gazes into the sea at Worli seaface. However, if you speak to Nina Rege, assistant director and curator at the Nehru Centre Art Gallery, she’d ask you to look beyond the Common Man when you’re thinking of Laxman. “There is so much more to the man — few people have seen his oil paintings, water colours, sketches and caricatures. They speak volubly of his artistic journey. For instance, the artist is very fond of crows — who ever knew that!” explains Rege.

RK Laxman’s caricature of Prince Charles