Artists pay tribute to 'Common Man' cartoonist R.K. Laxman

In a tribute to the legendary cartoonist R.K. Laxman, artists in Moradabad recreated his works on Tuesday.

Laxman, whose "You Said It" cartoon featuring the 'Common Man' lampooned powerful for half a century, died on Monday aged 93.

He had been ill for two weeks and died of multi-organ failure at a hospital in Pune where he lived.

His bald and bespectacled Common Man in a check coat was a silent spectator in daily single-panel cartoons that regaled millions of readers of The Times of India newspaper, helping Laxman to comment on a variety of issues plaguing post-independence India, from corrupt politicians to street potholes.

Around 20 artists came together and recreated the Common Man through their paintings as a tribute to the artist.

An artist, Narendra, said the idea behind the event was to remember Laxman through his iconic cartoons.

"Today these artists created replicas of the cartoons by R.K. Laxman. One of the paintings shows the common man paying tribute to Laxman. Around 20 artists participated to pay tribute to Laxman," said Narendra.

One of the most lauded artwork at the event showed the Common Man paying tribute to his creator.

Another artist, Anshu, said the gifted cartoonist, Laxman, will always be missed.

"Now that R.K. Laxman is not among us, we paid a tribute to him by recreating his cartoons. Each of his cartoons was a reason for people to laugh and conveyed a message," said Anshu.

Born in 1921, Laxman was the youngest of six brothers which included R.K. Narayan, one of India's 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. Narayan died in 2001.

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.

"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," Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in an English-language statement on Monday.

The cartoonist was accorded a state funeral in Pune on Tuesday.