Even at 90, he sketches, but with a little prodding from his wife
“Everyday I make him sketch something as daily practice, and he is improving a lot,” she said like a proud mother praising her son at his birthday party. Only, this was R.K. Laxman’s wife, Kamala Laxman, who spoke at his 90th birthday celebrations at their home in Pune.
Mr. Laxman, India’s most loved cartoonist and creator of the Common Man, turned 90 on Monday. Surrounded by close family, the man who gave the country more than four decades worth of laughs and chuckles had a tearful moment while cutting his birthday cake.
“He usually likes to have a quiet birthday, but today he agreed for a big celebration on my persuasion,” Mrs. Laxman said. More than 100 people had gathered on Monday afternoon to wish him: friends, family members and artists.
The gathering was ripe with anecdotes which reflected Mr. Laxman’s love for life and sharp observations. Usha Laxman, his daughter-in-law spoke of his wish to make her draw, which he later realised was not fruitful. “However, he is happy that his granddaughter is an artist like him,” she stated.
Among the people present to meet Mr. Laxman were senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani and Symbiosis International University Founder S.B. Mujumdar. Several cartoonists from the city presented their caricatures to him.
Mr. Laxman suffered a stroke in 2010, which severely affected his speaking ability, and has limited his hand movements. While he is recovering, Mrs. Laxman makes sure he does what he loves most: listening to music and going on long drives. Sketching is not left far behind: it is because of his passion and Mrs. Laxman’s persistent efforts that Mr. Laxman continues to sketch even today.
The Hindu had the opportunity to peek into the maestro’s latest sketchbook, and it was seen that the common man still rules Mr. Laxman’s world. A sketch drawn on October 3 shows the iconic Common Man upset with Lord Ganesha and turning away from him, perhaps an indication of the tough times that the common man has to endure and a complaint to the Lord of success for not doing enough. “His observations are still as sharp as ever. I make sure he reads the newspaper, and listens to news,” Mrs. Laxman said.
“He does not do any political sketches anymore, but I am sure he would have loved to comment on the anti corruption movement,” Mrs. Laxman had told this correspondent in an earlier interview.
