Cartoonist R.K. Laxman dead

Pune, Jan 26
Legendary cartoonist R.K. Laxman, creator of the iconic "Common Man", died in a private hospital here Monday evening after a brief illness, a family member 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 had been admitted to a private hospital around 10 days ago for a urinary tract infection and lung problems.

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.