The Laxmans’ sojourn in Madikeri

January 27, 2015 01:04 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 05:19 pm IST - Bengaluru:

 R.K.LAXMAN  (LEFT) WITH HIS CLOSE ASSOCIATE T.S.SATYAN DURING ONE OF HIS VISIT TO MYSURU A FEW YEARS AGO. PHOTO:M.A.SRIRAM

R.K.LAXMAN (LEFT) WITH HIS CLOSE ASSOCIATE T.S.SATYAN DURING ONE OF HIS VISIT TO MYSURU A FEW YEARS AGO. PHOTO:M.A.SRIRAM

The day was cloudy and there was a light drizzle when R.K. Laxman and wife Kamala visited Madikeri city in October 2006. “It’s quite disappointing,” the eminent cartoonist had observed when this correspondent met him at a private resort, near Madikeri, in Kodagu district.

Perhaps, not many, were aware of the credentials of the man who visited the picturesque city, leaving the couple to enjoy a quiet stay at the resort. RK belongs to a rare genre of cartoonists who have stirred peoples’ imagination, inspiring myriad thoughts through his cartoons in a subtle yet satirical style.

Then 85-years-old, RK had told The Hindu that it was his third visit to Kodagu, but the inclement weather was an anti-climax. The couple had visited the pilgrim centre of Talacauvery, Omkareshwar temple in the city and the Golden Temple at Bylakuppe. A keen observer, he had also expressed displeasure over the poor road conditions in Kodagu.

His ‘Common Man’ cartoons had formed one of the main planks of the conversation where he quipped the “common man never gets into trouble, the common man is an eternal observer. He watches the happenings in society. He is omnipresent and omnipotent. He is joyous at times, and is disappointed watching developments in society on certain occasions”.

RK’s humility also came to the fore when he was asked whether he had any message for the people. “I have no message for the people, and I am not that big. I only take messages from them,” he had said.

Quote hangers for Laxman

He was an institution by himself and was an inspiration to many budding cartoonists. He had great wit and humour. His lines were eloquent which he used to bring out the best portraits. He came to the Indian Institute of Cartoonists in Bengaluru in 2009 and inaugurated an exhibition of his cartoons. Recently, we had an exhibition of his unpublished doodles. - V.G. Narendra, Managing Trustee, Indian Institute of Cartoonists

He had both a sense of humor and draftsmanship which made him stand apart. His cartoons were very elaborate and had a great amount of detailing. He was also a good speaker and one could sit through his lectures for hours together. - B.G. Gujjarappa, senior cartoonist

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