Padma Vibhushan Babasaheb Purandare died at 5am on Monday morning at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune. He was 99 yearsold and on life support.
Dr Dhananjay Kelkar, the medical director ofthe hospital, said, “He passed at about 5.10 am due to ailments associated withold age and pneumonitis. He was on ventilator support since last evening.” Hismortal remains were shifted to his residence in Parvati area where loved onesand admirers are paying their last respects. The last rites are to be performedat the Vaikunth Crematorium at 10 am.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed hisdeep condolences and wrote on twitter, “I am pained beyond words. The demise ofShivshahir Babasaheb Purandare leaves a major void in the world of history andculture. It is thanks to him that the coming generations will get furtherconnected to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. His other works will also beremembered.”
“Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare will live ondue to his extensive works. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with his familyand countless admirers. Om Shanti,” he tweeted further.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackerayhas announced state funeral for the notable historian and author BabasahebPurandare, according to a statement by the Chief Minister's Office.
Balwant Moreshwar Purandare, popularly knownas Babasaheb Purandare, was an Indian writer, historian and theatrepersonality from Maharashtra, India. He was awarded with PadmaVibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award on 25 January 2019. His worksare mostly based on the events related to the life of Chatrapati ShivajiMaharaj, the 17th-century founder of the Maratha Empire; as a result he istermed as Shiv-Shahir.
Purandare also conceived and directed thetheatrical history extravaganza on Shivaji Maharaj’s life titled Jaanta Raja inthe mid-1980s.