Mumbai, Dec 31: Iconic Marathi poet and Padma Bhushan recipient Mangesh Keshav Padgaonkar passed away here on Wednesday after a brief illness.
86-year-old Padgaonkar was cremated at the Sion Electric crematorium with state honours here this evening. Earlier a guard of honour was also given to Padgonakar outside his residence in Sion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Padgaonkar as a doyen of Marathi literature.
“His poetry and writing influenced many. Saddened by his demise,” Modi tweeted.
Paying tributes to Padgaonkar on behalf of people of Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he enriched Marathi literature.
Born on March 10, 1929 in Vengurla, Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra, he received a Master of Arts degree in Marathi and Sanskrit from the University of Bombay.
He taught Marathi at Ruia College for some years, and then during the 1970–1990 period served as an editor at the US Information Service, in Mumbai.
The US Consulate Mumbai paid tributes, saying “Mangesh Padgaonkar served at the USIS for 20 years from 1970-1990. He truly exemplifies the US-India Dosti spirit.”
He has also written lyrics of many Marathi film songs.
Sung by Arun Date, his songs “Ya Janmawar, Ya Jaganyawar Shatada Prem Karawe”, “Bhatukalichya Khelamadhali” and “Shukratara Mand Wara” are well known.
