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No Laughing Matter: The Ambedkar Cartoons, 1932–1956
This history like no other asks you to consider what you are laughing at.
In 2012, the inclusion of a 1949 cartoon by Shankar showing Jawaharlal Nehru whipping a snail-borne B.R. Ambedkar in a school textbook, evoked Dalit protest, and a savarna counter on the grounds of artistic freedom. Scholar and cartoonist Unnamati Syama Sundar then undertook an archival survey of cartoons on Ambedkar in the English language press. The result, a collection of over a hundred cartoons from India’s leading publications, drawn by Shankar, Enver Ahmed and R.K. Laxman, among others, lays bare the perverse and thoughtless hostility Ambedkar often contended with. The incisional commentary woven around each cartoon offers a veritable biography of a man historically wronged.
‘These cartoons are as relevant today as they were seventy years ago’—Vijeta Kumar
‘No Laughing Matter unveils the dirty savarna gaze and gives us much to learn’—Varun Grover
‘Syama Sundar uncovers upper-caste majoritarianism disguised as artistic freedom’—Rajyashri Goody
‘A scathing and unsparing reappraisal of Indian political cartooning’—Suraj Yengde, in his Foreword
Unnamati Syama Sundar grew up in Vijayawada on a diet of Calvin and Hobbes, Dennis the Menace, Chacha Chaudhary and Amar Chitra Katha. He is doing his doctoral research at Jawaharlal Nehru University on the art featured in Chandamama, the popular Telugu children’s magazine founded in 1947. Syama Sundar is well-known for his Ambedkarite cartoons in the non-savarna social media world. His work is featured regularly on the website roundtableindia.co.in.
In 2012, the inclusion of a 1949 cartoon by Shankar showing Jawaharlal Nehru whipping a snail-borne B.R. Ambedkar in a school textbook, evoked Dalit protest, and a savarna counter on the grounds of artistic freedom. Scholar and cartoonist Unnamati Syama Sundar then undertook an archival survey of cartoons on Ambedkar in the English language press. The result, a collection of over a hundred cartoons from India’s leading publications, drawn by Shankar, Enver Ahmed and R.K. Laxman, among others, lays bare the perverse and thoughtless hostility Ambedkar often contended with. The incisional commentary woven around each cartoon offers a veritable biography of a man historically wronged.
‘These cartoons are as relevant today as they were seventy years ago’—Vijeta Kumar
‘No Laughing Matter unveils the dirty savarna gaze and gives us much to learn’—Varun Grover
‘Syama Sundar uncovers upper-caste majoritarianism disguised as artistic freedom’—Rajyashri Goody
‘A scathing and unsparing reappraisal of Indian political cartooning’—Suraj Yengde, in his Foreword
Unnamati Syama Sundar grew up in Vijayawada on a diet of Calvin and Hobbes, Dennis the Menace, Chacha Chaudhary and Amar Chitra Katha. He is doing his doctoral research at Jawaharlal Nehru University on the art featured in Chandamama, the popular Telugu children’s magazine founded in 1947. Syama Sundar is well-known for his Ambedkarite cartoons in the non-savarna social media world. His work is featured regularly on the website roundtableindia.co.in.
408 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 11, 2022
This book is a spectacular compilation of cartoons depicting Ambedkar’s political journey published between 1932 and 1956, predominantly in the National Herald and Shankar’s Weekly. Even though artistic at first glance, the overtly patronizing, sexist, and condescending undertones in the cartoons reflect the elitist attitude of the cartoonists who sided heavily with the ruling Congress establishment pre- and post-independence. For this reason or so, Ambedkar rightly pointed out in 1943, “Journalism in India was once a profession. It has now become a trade. Indian journalism is written by drum boys to glorify their heroes. Never has the interest of [the] country been sacrificed so senselessly for the propagation of hero-worship. Never has hero worship become so blind as we see it in India today. For in these days, with the press in hand, it is easy to manufacture great men.”
The author did an exemplary job of giving a contextual explanation for each cartoon. Especially concerning the Hindu Code Bill, these cartoons help the present generation to understand who was at forefront of the opposition to much-needed reforms. If observed keenly, the cartoons portraying the period of constitution writing had one and only Ambedkar in them, sometimes carrying a bunch of articles above his head, or with multiple hands working on various tasks. Shankar, though drew a similar cartoon of a tall Nehru with a bellicose personality wagging his multiple hands, working on various ministries, made sure that Ambedkar was always seen as someone stouter, short, and looked down (sometimes even as an ‘amoral’ woman) belittling him for his every political move. Nevertheless, meaner in their intent, like present-day ‘casual fat jokes’, these cartoons do not arouse humor but only pity.
The author did an exemplary job of giving a contextual explanation for each cartoon. Especially concerning the Hindu Code Bill, these cartoons help the present generation to understand who was at forefront of the opposition to much-needed reforms. If observed keenly, the cartoons portraying the period of constitution writing had one and only Ambedkar in them, sometimes carrying a bunch of articles above his head, or with multiple hands working on various tasks. Shankar, though drew a similar cartoon of a tall Nehru with a bellicose personality wagging his multiple hands, working on various ministries, made sure that Ambedkar was always seen as someone stouter, short, and looked down (sometimes even as an ‘amoral’ woman) belittling him for his every political move. Nevertheless, meaner in their intent, like present-day ‘casual fat jokes’, these cartoons do not arouse humor but only pity.
July 12, 2020
This well researched book has shocked me. I never realized how Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was ridiculed in the most cruel & sick manner through these old political cartoons. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar has been one of my best writers & a person who I have looked upon as the only sane voice in a world gone mad. It is a shame that he was portrayed in these political cartoons in such a degrading manner, I'm numb. I thank the author Unnamati Syama Sundar for producing this book for discerning readers & for the Navayana Publishing press for helping to print this book. I've been reading some of the best books of my life from Navayana Publishing & I hope they grow from strength to strength. We need such brave & intellectual publishers in our present day & age.
April 1, 2021
This book had me in tears, multiple times. With each cartoon we are intimately made privy with Dr. Ambedkar's life and work. How could/can Savarnas not recognise the genius of Babasaheb? What are we so afraid of? How blinded can we be from our privilege? This book offers great introspection into these questions. This book is in actuality a mockery, as Savarnas have never been truly able to learn from Babasaheb, of India's past, present and if things continue it's future.
From the foreword by Suraj Yengde, "No laughing matter is an attestation of Ambedkarite courage. Reading the book forces us to confront the banality of injustice in a most graphic manner." It is hard to put the book down. It is thoroughly researched and filled with sharp ironic deductions along the way.
From the foreword by Suraj Yengde, "No laughing matter is an attestation of Ambedkarite courage. Reading the book forces us to confront the banality of injustice in a most graphic manner." It is hard to put the book down. It is thoroughly researched and filled with sharp ironic deductions along the way.
September 7, 2024
This is an extremely well researched book by Unnamati Syama Sundar. This is a collection of cartoons on Dr BR Ambedkar during his lifetime. Babasaheb was a public figure, and anyone in public life is bound to be criticised, ridiculed, and satirised. But most of the cartoons presented in this book are downright casteist and highly humiliating of the great man. Every Dalit should read this book the pain and humiliation Babasaheb had to undergo for them to enjoy the fruits. The same lot that has forgotten their identity and trying to feign as upper caste.
It brings out the true colours of the masqueraders during the lifetime of Babasaheb. Not one spoke up against the bad taste in which these cartoons were made.
It brings out the true colours of the masqueraders during the lifetime of Babasaheb. Not one spoke up against the bad taste in which these cartoons were made.
August 22, 2020
You are under no obligation to remain the same person you were a year ago, a month ago or even a day ago. You are here to create yourself , continuously.- This book has transformed me to understand the humor with a deeper perspective.
This book is filled with multiple stories which highlights the biases of privileged cartoonists against Baba Saheb Ambedkar and their casteist and misogynist views.
I loved the the 'scratching the surface' part which gives a counter narrative to the biased depiction in the cartoons.
This book is filled with multiple stories which highlights the biases of privileged cartoonists against Baba Saheb Ambedkar and their casteist and misogynist views.
I loved the the 'scratching the surface' part which gives a counter narrative to the biased depiction in the cartoons.
July 29, 2025
This is such a great insight into the prevailing narrative of Ambedkar’s life in his time.
I fell in love with the idea of the book itself, and it really delivered.
It is layer upon layer; a critical socio-political commentary on the events, almost as they happen and how this is shaped and told by the lens of those positions of privilege.
I fell in love with the idea of the book itself, and it really delivered.
It is layer upon layer; a critical socio-political commentary on the events, almost as they happen and how this is shaped and told by the lens of those positions of privilege.
February 10, 2026
Clear depiction of how Dr. Ambedkar was systematically mocked to undermine his intellectual and political authority.
It shows the hostility he has to face throughout his career.
It shows the hostility he has to face throughout his career.
August 18, 2019
The books contains cartoons published in different newspapers. The cartoonists approach to Ambedkar is dwarf appearance, spoiler personality etc whereas the greatness in a man I the form of reforms proposed and tabled for healthy life of India has bee. Discouraged. The ignorance in attitude of the cartoonist toward the intellect is clearly visible. This is a must read book if one understand the Savarna criticism to him.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews