Who published cartoons in Tamil journals at first?

It's difficult to pinpoint the very first person to publish cartoons in Tamil journals. The history of cartooning in Tamil Nadu is rich and spans several decades, with various artists contributing to its development.

However, some of the earliest known pioneers include:

* R. K. Laxman: While best known for his English cartoons in "The Times of India," Laxman also contributed cartoons to Tamil magazines like "Ananda Vikatan" and "Kumudam."

* S. J. Shankar: This renowned cartoonist known for his political satire and "Shankar's Weekly" in English, was also a contributor to Tamil journals like "Kalki" and "Dinamani."

* S. M. A. Perumal: This artist is considered a pioneer of political cartooning in Tamil Nadu. He worked extensively for "Kalki" and "Dinamani," contributing sharp social and political commentary through his art.

It's important to note:

* The exact year of the earliest Tamil cartoon publication is difficult to ascertain due to limited archival information.

* Early Tamil journals were often regional and not widely circulated, making it hard to track their content.

* Many artists might have contributed to Tamil journals before the aforementioned names, but their contributions haven't been documented as extensively.

Therefore, while we can't definitively say who published the absolute first cartoons in Tamil journals, these artists represent some of the early pioneers who significantly contributed to the development of this art form in Tamil Nadu.