Common Man’s cartoonist RK Laxman dies at 94

Pune, January 27

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Eminent cartoonist RK Laxman, whose work ruled the pages of newspapers and the hearts of countrymen, was today accorded a state funeral here, as a teary-eyed nation joined in paying tribute to the man whose brush strokes put smile on everyman’s face.

The legendary cartoonist, creator of the ubiquitous mute spectator ‘Common Man’ died here last evening, aged 94 after suffering multi-organ failure.

His son Srinivas performed the last rites at Vaikunth crematorium this afternoon. A guard of honour was also given to Laxman.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Education Minister Vinod Tawde and MNS chief Raj Thackeray paid floral tributes to Laxman, before his body was taken to the crematorium for the last rites.

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar also offered floral tributes to Laxman. He conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message on the occasion in which the latter said “We have have lost a great cartoonist and also a morning smile forever.”

Prior to the funeral, the body was kept at the Symbiosis Institute here to enable the veteran cartoonist’s countless fans and admirers to pay their last respects.

“Laxman’s ‘Common Man’ will be alive till the end of the world. That ‘Common Man’ will be a check on the political system,” Fadnavis said, after paying tributes to the iconic cartoonist.

Uddhav Thackeray said Laxman was the “last emperor of the stroke”. The Sena leader recalled that his father the late Bal Thackeray and Laxman worked together and were mutual fans.

Laxman was admitted to the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital hospital here on January 17 for urinary infection. Later, he suffered multi-organ failure and was put on ventilator.

Laxman is survived by writer wife Kamala, retired journalist son Srinivas and daughter-in-law Usha.

Born in 1921, Laxman was the youngest of six brothers who included RK Narayan, one of most renowned writers. Laxman showed an early talent for sketching and illustrated many of Narayan’s stories before joining the Times of India in the 1950s. Laxman’s “Common Man” character, often described as holding up a mirror to democracy, spawned a television sitcom, was the mascot for an airline and featured on a postage stamp. In 2005, Laxman was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian honour. — Agencies

Personal loss
"I feel personal loss because I was both an avid follower and subject of his cartoons. India will miss the genius who made the common man into a national icon." Pranab Mukherjee, president

Will miss him
"India will miss you RK Laxman. We are grateful to you for adding the much needed humour in our lives and always bringing smiles on our faces." Narendra Modi, PM

Sound of conscience
RK Laxman the silent yet visible sound of the conscience of a nation passes away... Prayer, peace...SILENCE...in peace and prayer may he rest." Amitabh Bachchan, actor