Bal Thackeray was a former politician who is the founder of the political party Shiv Sena. Initially a cartoonist, Thackeray went on to be a leading personality of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. He later formed the Shiv Sena in order to protect and improve the interests of Maharashtrians in Mumbai's political arena.

In picture: Bal Thackeray is seen here in a very pensive mood

Bal Thackeray got married to Meena Thackeray on June 13, 1948. She passed away in 1998.

In picture: Bal Thackeray with his cigar, which was one of the many peculiar things he was known for

In picture: Bal Thackeray tries his hand at photography while his son Uddhav looks on

Aaditya Thackeray, Bal Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray - For the first time, three generations made a public appearance together at the Shiv Sena Dassera rally at Shivaji Park on October 17, 2010. Picture/Ashish Rane

Bal Thackeray with son Uddhav (left) and nephew Raj (right) at a Shiv Sena rally on the eve of Dassera at Shivaji Park. Picture/Ashish Rane

In picture: Bal Thackeray and Anna Hazare in a candid chat

In picture: Bal Thackeray shares a lighter moment with veteran actor Dilip Kumar while Hollywood actor Steven Seagal looks on at a function

In picture: A cut-out of Bal Thackeray during an election season

In picture: Bal Thackeray with few kids meet pop singing legend Michael Jackson when the latter visited Matoshree in 1996

In picture: Bal Thackeray with superstar Rajinikanth in a candid chat

In picture: Bal Thackeray in conversation with Karisma Kapoor during an event

Bal Thackeray with Aaditya and Uddhav on his 86th birthday at Matoshree, Bandra

Bal Thackeray with India's melody queen Lata Mangeshkar at an event.

Amitabh Bachchan and Bal Thackeray during the launch of Umeed, a music album by grandson Aditya Thackeray. Picture/Nimesh Dave

Bal Thackeray with Madhuri Dixit on the 70th death anniversary of Dinanath Mangeshkar at Shanmukhananda Hall on May 4, 2012. Picture/Ashish Rane

Bal Thackeray with LK Advani and then Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi in 1999

In picture: Bal Thackeray with LK Advani and Pramod Mahajan

Bal Thackeray is flanked by people in this undated picture.

In picture: Thackeray with a jovial Manohar Joshi, a smiling Uddhav, thoughtful Narayan Rane and a young, jeans-clad Raj Thackeray

In picture: Bal Thackeray with veteran cartoonist RK Laxman.

Bal Thackeray with then-Governor P.C. Alexander (left), Manohar Joshi and Narayan Rane.

Bal Thackeray at Shivalay at Nariman Point after its renovation.

A Shiv Sainik touches Bal Thackeray's feet on Guru Purnima at Matoshree. Picture/ MIDDAY PHOTO ARCHIVE/ Shailesh Mule

Laxmi Gaud Kamble, a sand artist, prepared this portrait at Juhu Chowpatty to pay tribute to Thackeray on the occasion of his 86th birthday

A photoshopped image shows Raj Thackeray looking into the mirror, which throws back a portrait of Bal Thackeray