Pune, Jan 26 (IANS): Legendary cartoonist R.K. Laxman, creator of the iconic "The Common Man", died in a private hospital here Monday evening after a brief illness, his son said. He was 94.

Laxman, brother of late English novelist R.K. Narayan, is survived by writer wife Kamala, retired journalist son Srinivas and daughter-in-law Usha.

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. Monday, Srinivas told IANS.

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

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

He was renowned for his creation of "The Common Man", which ran for many decades in The Times of India under the brand name "You Said It".

"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 said 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 uncertainty of his health was a concern for the entire family," Srinivas said from Pune.

Born in Mysore in Karnataka Oct 24, 1921, Rasipuram Krishnaswamy Iyer Laxman was attracted to sketching from his early childhood.

He was first married to Bharatanatyam exponent and film actress Kamala, who was known in the film industry as 'Baby Kamala', and who later graduated to adult roles as 'Kumari Kamala'.

The couple split and Laxman subsequently married a prominent author of children's books, also named Kamala.

His son Srinivas Laxman is a senior journalist with The Times of India and a a specialist on aviation, space and defence.

People from all walks of life expressed shock and sadness at the demise of Laxman.

Vice President Hamid Ansari condoled Laxman's death, saying "he touched lives of millions by his incisive humour".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the death, saying: "We are grateful to you for adding the much needed humour in our lives and always bringing smiles on our faces.

"My condolences to the family and countless well-wishers of a legend whose demise leaves a major void in our lives. RIP R.K. Laxman."

Finance Minister Arun Jaitely, expressing condolence, said Laxman "made his daily point while making us laugh".

Forest Minister Prakash Javadekar said: "The man who made us laugh has left us in tears. The legendary cartoonist R.K. Laxman will always be remembered for his gentle humour."

Maharashtra Congress president Manikrao Thakre expressed deep grief on the demise of Laxman and offered condolences to his family.

BJP vice president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe said in a tweet that India has lost a great artist who taught people the nuances of creative satire with the prowess of his brush and brain -- both supremely sharp.

"Apart from everything else, he will be remembered as one who gave authentic voice to genuine agonies and aspirations of the common man," Sahasrabuddhe said.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said India has just lost her pre-eminent common man and Bollywood actor-director Farhan Akhtar said: "The common man has just lost its first citizen."

Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde described Laxman as "a great cartoonist and writer, his works gave the common man a voice and hope for a change".

Industrialist Anand Mahindra said Laxman "kept us in good humour as our country went through its growth pangs... we owe many embedded images of ourselves and India to him".

Shiv Sena youth leader Aditya Thackeray said it was an honour to meet Laxman a few years ago. "But to see my grandfather (the late Bal Thackeray) meet him, was to travel in a time machine to see mutual love and respect."

R.K.Laxman, nation's uncrowned conscience keeper

R.K. Laxman, considered by many as one of the world’s greatest cartoonists, was an institution unto himself, indisputably the uncrowned conscience keeper of the nation. No politician or minister, however high or mighty, escaped his pointed satire, conveyed through a few deft strokes of his brush, especially if they committed an act of impropriety or indiscretion.

Laxman’s Common Man, who graced the front pages of The Times of India for more than five decades, under “You Said It” acquired an iconic stature of its own. These pocket cartoons not only conveyed the pulse of a nation, but also unfailingly delivered powerful messages. At the same time they mirrored the hopes and aspirations, follies and foibles of a society in transition.

The cartoons of Laxman, who died Monday, became the defining moments in nation’s history, as for instance, the one on Aryabhatta, India’s first satellite. A couple of middle-aged office-goers are waiting at a bus stop. One of them wants to know the time. As soon as the other looks at his watch and answers, the questioner looks skywards, exclaims: "Aryabhatta must have completed one orbit by now."

His huge canvas spanned local, national and global personalities and issues, born out of his deep understanding of the cross currents shaping the world. His take on Angolan crisis in which both the super powers fought through proxies, at the height of the Cold War, shall remain among his many unforgettable cartoons.

The three-column illustration depicts Leonid Brezhnev and Jimmy Carter, presidents of erstwhile USSR and US, who are stealthily stepping across the coast of Angola, both armed and in the guise of burglars. Carter cries “thief-thief” as soon as he spots his burly opposite number. It exposes their double-speak and evokes laughter at the irony. These cartoons speak volumes about Laxman’s capacity to convey complex geopolitical realities in his characteristic style.

Laxman’s cartoons, undoubtedly the outcome of a brilliant mind, also entailed sheer hard work. It meant isolating himself for six hour daily, neither speaking nor listening to anyone during the period. "Searching for new ideas is an endless process. You have to come up with new and innovative idea each day," he said.

Some of the tomes showcasing Laxman’s perspective also include the one which appeared just after the 1971 India-Pakistan war, in three columns, in his inimitable style. General Yayha Khan, pointing to the stack of destroyed Pakistani tanks and planes in the background, tells Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, with a smile: “Have I not made it seem like a thousand-year war,” (which only lasted 14 days). Bhutto often boasted about waging a millennial war against India.

Laxman, the youngest of six siblings, was born Oct 24, 1921, in Mysore. He showed promise very early in life. The illustrations in The Strand, Punch, Bystander and Tit-Bits, reputed British magazines, spurred his innate talent which found an outlet in his own house. He drew on its floor, walls and doors, sketched caricatures of his school teachers. Sir David Low, the world-famous cartoonist whose sketches also appeared in the Hindu, also influenced him.

Laxman lost his father, a headmaster, in childhood to the after-affects of a paralytic stroke, which he suffered a year earlier. The family elders stepped in and took responsibility for his children's upbringing and schooling.

Refused admission to the J.J. School of Art in Mumbai, on the grounds that he lacked requisite talent, Laxman joined the Maharaja’s College in Mysore. While doing his graduation in arts, he began to illustrate the stories of elder sibling R.K. Narayan, which appeared in The Hindu. He contributed cartoons to Swatantra, a local daily. Later, he worked for Swarajya and Blitz. Laxman also drew cartoons for Koravanji, the Kannada humour magazine.

But his stint with the Free Press Journal, where he worked with Bal Thackeray, happened to be his first full-time job. In 1951 Laxman joined The Times of India, Mumbai, which he served for more than 50 years, until a stroke in September 2003 left him partially paralyzed.

While receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in Bangalore in February 2002, Laxman observed. "The 'Common Man' has not changed in the last five decades, and will not change. If he does, then he will become a terrorist... He represents the silent majority of India, who have no voice."

Ajit Ninan, who worked for India Today and Outlook as a cartoonist, in an interview with the 'Star of Mysore' in July 2012 rated Laxman the best in India, "because he was a typical South Indian genius. He was a big crowd-puller and by nature he was funny, sharp and witty”.

Laxman was married to Bharatanatyam exponent and actress Kumari Kamala Laxman, whom he divorced. Later, he married Kamala Laxman, who wrote children's books. They moved to Pune where he breathed his last.