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Eminent cartoonist R K Laxman, who immortalised the hapless ‘Common Man’ with his devastating swipes at politicians but without malice, died in Pune on Monday (January 26) at a private hospital at the age of 94 after suffering multi-organ failure. “Laxman passed away at 6.50 PM,” Dr Sameer Jog of Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, said. Creator of ubiquitous mute spectator ‘Common Man’, Laxman was admitted to the hospital on January 17 for urinary infection. He suffered multi-organ failure and was put on ventilator. Laxman, brother of late novelist R.K. Narayan, is survived by writer wife Kamala, retired journalist son Srinivas and daughter-in-law Usha. His legendary spell on the Indian newspaper reader was cast after joining the Times Of India (TOI). His front page pocket cartoon “You said it” started in 1951, unleashing his iconic “common man”, a silent witness to the shenanigans of politicians who were supposed to realise his dreams, hopes and aspirations but betrayed him on most occasions. His association with TOI continued through the six decades even as he got back to work after recovering from a paralytic stroke in 2003 that incapacitated his left side.
A Padma Vibhushan, Laxman also won the Magsaysay award in 1984 for journalism, literature and creative communication arts. Condoling his demise, noted cartoonists described him as outstanding, towering figure who always had his finger on the pulse of the nation. “India will miss you R K Laxman. We are grateful top you for adding the much needed humour in our lives and always bringing smiles on our faces,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted. According to the doctors, he had been bed-ridden for many months, needed caregiver support for his routine activities and suffered from diabetes, hypertension and diabetic nephropathy. He was under close observation of team of intensivists in Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital’s ICU for the last nine days. There were ups and downs in his condition, but it started deteriorating s