Mumbai, Feb 1 (IANS) The proposed memorial to legendary cartoonist R. K. Laxman, announced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Pune last week, must be erected in Mumbai, his family has urged.
"The CM was very kind to announce the memorial, but the location has not been specified. We, especially my daughter Rimanika and wife Usha, are keen that it should come up in Mumbai, where Laxman spent over seven decades of his life and The Common Man was born," son Srinivas Laxman told IANS.
He said that it was the vibrant and never-say-die spirit of the ordinary Mumbaikar that inspired the image of Laxman's bespectacled creation - The Common Man - always silent with a confused and bewildered expression at the antics of politicians, generally in his trademark check shirt with dhoti, and a tuft of hair clinging to the sides of his worry-marked pate.
Srinivas, himself a retired journalist from The Times Of India (ToI) and now a specialist writer on space exploration, said that his father started his cartooning career in Mumbai and walked the streets of the city, saw it developing into a global financial centre and chronicled it through his sketches.
"He had a long, 60-year old friendship with another great Mumbaikar and cartoonist, the late Bal Thackeray. They used to have lunch and tea at Chetna Restaurant in those days, laugh and joke. Before his death, Thackeray had visited my dad in Pune," Srinivas said.
During lunch breaks, or on lean working days, Laxman and other senior editors of ToI would go for walks in the old, bustling Dalal Street (before the 29-storied BSE Building came up in 1980), Strand Book Stall, Jehangir Art Gallery, the Colaba Causeway, Flora Fountain, and other parts which comprised the CBD (central business district) of Mumbai, Srinivas said, explaining how his father got inspired for his works which became historic creations.
In the 1940s, when Laxman first came to Mumbai, he lived in the Mirabelle Hotel - which no longer exists - at Marine Lines and then at other smaller places before moving to his flat in the posh Breach Candy area, where he spent 70 years of his life.
Owing to practical reasons - the Mumbai building does not have a lift - the 86-year old Laxman shifted to Pune in April 2008. "But, his heart always beat for Mumbai. He always wanted to return and live here," Usha said.
In fact, during his frequent visits from Pune to Mumbai, Laxman enjoyed going for long drives in various areas and loved to watch the crowds at Churchgate, Marine Lines, the Chowpatty Beach and the bhelpuriwalas, the CST and the vicinity of ToI, as also some other old haunts, and always appeared pleased and excited.
On a more personal level, the family would miss Laxman's delightful annual 'Happy Birthday gifts' in the form of a sketch of Rimanika or Srinivas, and also doting daughter-in-law Usha.
"Practically from my birth, he used to make at least one annual sketch on my birthday. Later he did some for Usha, who was very close to him, and then regularly for his grand-daughter Rimanika," Srinivas said.
Once, during a college event, the young and shy Srinivas was billed as R.K. Laxman's "Greatest Creation"!
"But, we took it in our stride..." he laughs today over the incident in a south Mumbai college over four decades ago.
According to the family, a Laxman memorial in Mumbai would be a befitting tribute to both the great city and its prime resident, The Common Man, whose statue is already installed at Worli.
Preparation for farewell: President Kovind will leave Raisina Hill with many achievements, Prime Minister will give a banquet today
Ramnath Kovind, an advocate of egalitarianism and integrity in society and rising from the ground, became the 14th President of the country and is now preparing to bid farewell from Rashtrapati
Important to Modernise Defence Forces: Modi
Bengaluru, Feb 18 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said it was important to modernise India's defence forces and increase preparedness.Inaugurating the 10th edition of the Aero India
Rajasthan to set up heritage council
Jaipur, Feb 23 (IANS) Rajasthan on Monday decided to set up a heritage council under the chief minister for conservation, regulation and maintenance of heritage structures of historical and
The crowd became uncontrollable after seeing KGF star Yash... the bodyguard had to push, the actor's reaction won hearts
The fan following of Yash, the lead actor of South's superhit film KGF, is not only in the South but in every corner of the country. Recently, when he came to Mumbai, he got a glimpse of it. A video
The fierce clash between bus and oil tanker in Pakistan's Punjab province, 20 people burnt alive
A painful incident has come to light from the Punjab province of Pakistan. On Tuesday, 20 people were burnt alive in a fierce collision between a passenger bus and an oil tanker. The accident happened
US reaction on PM Modi's comment 'Today's era is not of war', America told India a major ally
Will come on India tour on 1st March. Before that America reacted regarding its relations with India. America has described India as its main ally. This statement of America has come during PM Modi's
Raid: GST evasion of 824 crores by insurance companies, searches on the premises of 15 companies, intermediaries, and banks
GST officials have caught tax evasion of Rs 824 crore by 15 insurance companies, intermediaries, and banks. They were evading tax by issuing fake challans. Based on confidential information, GST
NASA's Moon mission will be closest to the moon today: the distance will be 130 KM at 6.27 pm; Flight was filled on 16 November
The Orion spacecraft of the American space agency NASA will pass closest to the moon today. According to Indian time, at 6.27 pm, the distance between them will be only 130 km. All this is part of the
Char Dham Yatra 2021: Uttarakhand High Court lifts ban on Char Dham Yatra
Char Dham Yatra 2021: Uttarakhand High Court to hear the affidavit filed by the government regarding the commencement of Chardham Yatra. After hearing the matter, removing the ban imposed on the yatra
Supreme Court: Notice to UP government on journalist Siddiqui Kappan's bail plea, case registered under UAPA
The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government while hearing the bail plea of Kerala-based journalist Siddiqui Kappan. The court will hear the matter on September 9.
