Chandrachud stated that the ‘core’ of a journalist’s mission is to ‘hold up a mirror to powers that be’. While that is true, it is only one of the missions of the journalist – along with to inform, to analyse, to contextualise, to facilitate, to felicitate…. The cartoonist, on the other hand, has one brief-cum-function: to poke via a visual joke.
Laxman’s creations were the epitome of that sharp rapier, especially his Common Man being the foil and, indeed, mirror to (stated, whispered or unstated) popular opinion of the aam aadmi/aurat. Chandrachud’s description of Laxman as ‘an equal opportunity offender’ may confuse some literalists – natural enemies of cartoons – as being an accusation. Just to remind everyone in this room, it’s a badge of honour. The cartoonist was once the vidushak’s successor. Chandrachud may have been saying between his lines that the cartoonist has taken up the journalist’s burden. As long as he or she doesn’t start appearing to some worthies as ‘anarchists’, one hopes the tribe of cartoonists thrives – even if they may be increasingly compelled to draw a line.