His life was art, it is what kepthim alive: Son on Laxman Pai

PANAJI: On Laxman Pai’s last video call with his US-based son, the 95-year-old artist was seen downing rawa-fried prawns with beer.
“What a Goan way to go,” Akash Pai told TOI from the US. “He was very peaceful till the end.”
The artist’s last message to his son, which he drew out, was ‘Keep smiling’. “Dad loved Goa, this was prominent in literally every painting of his,” Akash said.
He said his father was very focused on the art, and cared little for the frills and fame that it had brought him.
“His life was art, and there’s no confusion that he was absolutely dedicated to it. He was literally painting till the day before he passed away,” Akash said, adding that his love for art was the secret of his long life. “If he couldn’t paint anymore, he would not be able to live, it’s as simple as that. It is what kept him alive,” he said.
Pai was an open-minded and unconventional father to Akash. “He never forced anything on me, be it art, his philosophies or his opinions. He always wanted me to figure out my own path,” said Akash, who pursued engineering and business management, and runs a healthcare startup in Silicon Valley.
“He told me to do whatever I want and never interfered. He wanted me to think independently, and there was never any pressure to conform. He believed in the philosophical aspect of Hinduism but not the ritual aspect at all. He instilled independent thinking in me,” he said.
“Being around him meant you met a lot of interesting people — chief ministers, governors, kings and other artists as well who are very interesting people — they dress different, look different and think different,” he said.
Pai was also a talented musician who played several instruments including the sitar, tabla, mridangam and bansuri. “He could learn instruments like there was no tomorrow. He also dabbled in repairing electronic amplifiers,” he said.