Pune: Eminent cartoonist R K Laxman, whose work ruled the pages of newspapers and the hearts of countrymen, was today accorded a state funeral here, as rich tributes were paid to the man, whose brush strokes put smile on everyman's face. The creator of the ubiquitous mute spectator 'Common Man' died here last evening, aged 94 after suffering a multi-organ failure. His son Srinivas performed the last rites at Vaikunth crematorium this afternoon. A guard of honour was also given to Laxman. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Education Minister Vinod Tawde and MNS chief Raj Thackeray paid floral tributes to Laxman, before his body was taken to the crematorium for last rites. Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar also offered floral tributes to Laxman. He conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message on the occasion in which the latter said that "we have have lost a great cartoonist and also a morning smile forever."

Prior to the funeral, the body was kept at the Symbiosis Institute here to enable the veteran cartoonist's countless fans and admirers to pay their last respects. "Laxman's 'Common Man' will be alive till the end of the world. That 'Common Man' will be a check on the political system," Fadnavis said, after paying tributes to the iconic cartoonist. "The government plans to build a memorial of him to inspire future generations," Tawde said. "Laxman's cartoons often acted as 'Lakshman Rekha' for politicians," the minister added.