From university to individuals, Mysuru misses illustrious R K

The news of cartoonist R K Laxman's death came as a rude shock to the University of Mysore (UoM), which enters its centenary year on July 27, and was planning to record a message on it from its celebrated alumnus.

Laxman graduated from the UoM in the late 1940s, having done his early schooling at the Government High School at Lakshmipuram (now housing Karnataka State Gangubai Hanagal University for Music and Performing Arts).

He subsequently joined Maharaja’s Junior College, followed by the degree college by the same name, recalled senior journalist Krishna Vattam. He was born and grew up in the same locality—Lakshmipuram.

No 58, third cross, seventh main, Saraswatipuram, Mysuru. That was where renowned photographer T S Satyan lived till his death in 2009. The house was always on Laxman's itinerary whenever he visited his home-town.

Laxman, two year older than Satyan, was very fond his friend and his family. The last time he visited was in 2008—a year before Satyan passed away. Laxman had called up the family to express his condolences on his friend's demise.

Laxman wanted Satyan to accompany him to their alma mater Maharaja’s College. .

Accompanied by Satyan and Vattam, Laxman went through the corridors of the college.

Though he left Mysuru in 1948 in search of a career, his fondness for the city never diminished. Satyan's wife Ratna has fond memories of meeting Laxman’s family in Pune a few years ago. Ratna had gone to her daughter Kalpana’s house in Pune when she called on Laxman’s family. The Laxman couple was elated to host the family friend.

“Whenever Laxman came to Mysuru, he used to stay either at Hotel Metropole or Southern Star (now Regaalis). In 2008, he came to our home, walked inside with some help, and spent some time with us before returning to the hotel,” said Ratna.

With Satyan’s death, Laxman stopped coming to Mysuru owing to deteriorating health.  The last time he visited Mysuru was in 2009, when he stayed at Hotel President. Laxman wanted to revisit some of the major thoroughfares of the city, and went around Devaraja Market, Kukkarahalli Lake road in a car, recalled cartoonist M V Nagendra Babu, with Laxman’s elder brother R K Srinivasan's grandson Chetan Krishnaswamy, had accompanied Laxman.