Ram Waeerkar

Ram Waeerkar was an Indian comic artist best known for his foundational work on the long-running series *Amar Chitra Katha* and the children's magazine *Tinkle*. Born in 1936, he illustrated the very first issue of *Amar Chitra Katha*, "Krishna," in 1969, and went on to provide art for nearly ninety titles in the series, including later works such as "Chanakya" and "Vishwamitra." In the 1980s, he became a key illustrator for *Tinkle*, where he co-created several of the magazine's most beloved characters, including the dim-witted servant Suppandi—whose flat head was designed to suggest a lack of brains—as well as Pyarelal, Nasruddin Hodja, and the comic duo Choru and Joru. His style was clear, expressive, and well-suited to both mythological epics and humorous strips. Waeerkar won three Indian National Awards for his illustrations, for the books "Yamuna," "Chuha Raja," and the comic "Chanakya." A passionate harmonica player, he passed away on 26 February 2003. His legacy continues through his children: daughter Archana Amberkar took over illustrating Suppandi and Nasruddin Hodja for *Tinkle*, and son Sanjiv Waeerkar became a major figure in Indian animation, creating characters like Simple Samosa for Disney.