People pay tribute to legendary cartoonist RK Laxman for bringing smiles on their faces.
Iconic cartoonist R K Laxman who left for his heavenly abode on Monday evening was accorded a state funeral by the Maharashtra government. Laxman had made the common man popular through his pocket cartoon called ‘You Said it’. His demise was mourned by the media and eminent personalities and politicians. R K Laxman entertained the nation for about sixty long years with his rib tickling and thought provoking political cartoons. He was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan as well as the Padma Vibhushan, the second and third highest civilian awards in India.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the state government would build a memorial for Laxman.
Several people offered their condolences to R K Laxman. Here is what they had to say about the cartoonist.
“It is indeed a very sad moment that R K Laxman has passed away. He was not just a cartoonist, but he always had something to say through his cartoons. His demise has created a void. Although he has passed away, the common man that he had created will always will live forever and will be a guiding force for any political regime” said Mahara-shtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Cartoonist Aseem Trivedi said, “RK Laxman was the voice of the common man. He is the true representation of Indian cartooning. The common public could connect with the cartoons that he drew. The political cartoons represented the true reality of our country.”
Senior Advocate Rohini Salian said, “He used to draw a crow in the corner of his cartoons. According to me, RK Laxman was the best cartoonist born ever. I feel it is a great loss to the nation.”
Jadan Mendes, Third year Hotel Management student said, “There can never be another cartoonist like him. He is the best cartoonist I have ever known. May his soul rest in peace.”
Radhika Nagia, a Freelance writer said, “The perfect word to describe him is legendary cartoonist. The cartoons were humorous/offensive to certain groups of people but it was the truth of society that he represented through them. I will miss his cartoons a lot. There is no other cartoonist who can so creatively target the politicians in a satirical manner.”
Sarita Fernandes, a FYBMS student said, “Pictures speak a thousand words and RK Laxman did justice to those words! He spoke the unspoken words through his work and bespoke the reality and voice of the ‘common man’. To that, we will always remain thankful to you! I used to read his cartoons. You will be truly missed. R.I.P.”
Glen G Gonsalves a BPO employee said, “I love the cartoons he created. Will miss his cartoons very much. RIP to India’s best cartoonist ever.”
Pawan Toon Principal Caroonist said, “Laxmanji ka ‘common man’ na sirf India, balke desh ke bahar bhi khoob charchit hua tha. Azadi ke baad aam aadmi ko jis tarah Laxmanji ne prastut kia koi bharatiya nahi kar paya. Laxman sahab se humari mulakat Prakash Jha filmmaker ne karai thi Unhone unpar documentary bhi bana. India mein cartoon ke bheeshmpitamah beshak K. Shankar Pillai rahe lekin janmanas tak cartoon ko sabse jyada lokpriya karne wale Laxmanji hi rahe”. (RK Laxman ‘common man’ was not only famous in India, but also globally. The way he represented the face of common man after independence, no other Indian could ever do so. I met him through filmmaker Prakash Jha, when he was filming a documentary on RK Laxman. In India, K. Shankar Pillai is probably considered the ‘Father of Cartoons’ but RK Laxman was the man who made cartoons popular amongst the people.”
Vivek Menon an engineering student said, “I knew RK Laxman through my father. I am a huge fan of his take on politics and the hardships faced by common man through cartoons. His works are considered as benchmark for aspiring cartoonists.”
Cheryl Jonia D’souza said, “RK Laxman was someone who always had to give readers some great cartoons each morning. He will be truly missed.”
Mr. Laxman was born in then Mysore on October 24, 1921, was the youngest of six sons of a school headmaster and the only one among his siblings to share fame with his brother, writer R.K. Narayan, the creator of Malgudi. Admonished by one of his siblings never to copy from the many magazines that he used to read in the house, Laxman impressed his school teacher with a drawing of a peepul leaf.
R K Laxman joined the Free Press Journal in 1946 as a political cartoonist, where his colleague was none other than a young Bal Thackeray, also an admirer of David Low and an aspiring political cartoonist. Many old times legendary say that Thackeray started the Shiv Sena because Laxman was a better cartoonist.
Mr. Laxman, battling a severe urinary tract infection and kidney failure, was put back on ventilator support after his health took a turn for the worse on Sunday evening. His health had deteriorated after a series of strokes in 2004 and 2010, which severely impeded his speech and left him bedridden.
