Artist killed, Asha Khadilkar hurt in mishap

PUNE, May 25: Vishwanath R Pendharkar, a harmonium player from Mumbai was killed while six other artistes including noted classical singer A...

PUNE, May 25: Vishwanath R Pendharkar, a harmonium player from Mumbai was killed while six other artistes including noted classical singer Asha Khadilkar (30) were seriously injured when their tempo trax rammed into a tree at Shikrapur, about 40 km from Pune on Pune-Ahmednagar highway this morning.

Pendharkar (65), is survived by two sons, a daughter and wife. His body was handed over to relatives after a post-mortem was performed at Talegaon Dhamdhere this evening. He will be cremated in Mumbai, relatives said.

Among the other injured are harmonium player Vishwanath R Kanhere (45), his singer wife Archana (42), tabla player Omkar D Gulwade (32), Mahesh S Govilkar (25) and Sunil A Harishchandrakar (22). All the injured except for Harishchandrakar have suffered multiple fractures besides head injuries.

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They have been admitted to the Ruby Hall hospital in Pune. Harishchandrakar, who suffered some bruises, was discharged with first aid after being treated at the cottage hospital at Talegaon Dhamdhere.

The troupe on its way to Mumbai in Harishchandrakar’s tempo trax after performing at Chaitanyavan in Ahmednagar last night. Though Govilkar was the driver on the vehicle, Kanhere was driving the vehicle when the mishap took place.

Harishchandrakar, who was sitting on the rear seat recalled that Kanhere lost control over the vehicle while trying to avoid a collision with a scooterist and dashed against the tree along the road.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the designation gives law enforcement “enhanced powers to combat a group that has instilled fear through violence and intimidation”.

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