Cartoonist R.K. Laxman dead

Legendary cartoonist R.K. Laxman, creator of the iconic "Common Man", died in a private hospital here Monday evening after a brief illness, his family said. He was 94.

Laxman, brother of late novelist R.K. Narayan, is survived by writer wife Kamala, retired journalist son Srinivas and daughter-in-law Usha. He was renowned for his cartoon creation, which ran for several decades in The Times of India.

He had been admitted to a private hospital around 10 days ago for a urinary tract infection and lung problems, where he breathed his last at 6.10 p.m, Srinivas told IANS.

As there was no improvement in his condition, he was shifted to the Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital here and put on a ventilator last Sunday (Jan 18).

Laxman had suffered multiple organs failure, but responded well to the treatment and bounced back. Three days later, he was removed off the ventilator and shifted to the intensive care unit.

"He was first admitted to a hospital nearby Jan 16, but his condition showed no improvement. Later, we moved him to Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital where he showed a miraculous recovery," Srinivas told IANS.

He added that Laxman's 89-year old wife Kamala took the news of her husband's demise stoically.

"The past 10 days have been extremely unnerving... the uncertainties of his health was a concern for the entire family," he said.

The date and venue of Laxman's funeral have not yet been finalized and will be announced in due course, he added.