Cartoonist fraternity pays tribute to RK Laxman

The cartoonist fraternity of the country on Monday mourned the death of RK Laxman calling him the "original god of cartooning" and an "institution".

"... He was the original god of cartooning," Ajit Ninan said about Laxman, the creator of ubiquitous mute spectator 'Common Man'. "I think he was one of the most talented cartoonists in the world because he had such a lovely overview of Asia, Western societies. All the metaphors that emanated from his hand and mind are unmatchable, I think, for a long time to come," Ninan said.

Sudhir Tailang described him as "an institution" who created "respect for the job of cartoonists".

He elevated the status of cartoonists in newspaper hierarchy, Tailang said of Laxman who passed away at a hospital in Pune this evening after a prolonged illness at the age of 94.

Condoling his death, Hemant Morparia said, "We learnt the grammar of cartoon from Laxman. "He was a towering figure. He outlived all his contemporaries. I assume his cartoons will in fact outlive him for a very long time."

Laxman is survived by wife Kamala and son Srinivas, a former journalist.