PUNE, Nov 1: Eminent painter and writer, Dr Dhundiraj Bhaskar Omkar, better known as Bhaiyyasaheb Omkar, passed away early Sunday morning following a heart attack. He was 69.Dr Omkar, who was the former dean of the fine arts faculty of the SNDT university, was the first painter in the country to secure a doctorate. He was the member of the State Arts Council. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren.Dr Omkar wrote 22 books on paintings, including his autobiography Sketch Bookatil Paane. His first book was Chitrarup Ramayan for which he incurred an expenditure of Rs 6,000 in 1959. Unfortunately most copies of the books were destroyed in the Panshet flood. He was honoured with Kalaratna and Sushila-Sneh awards. A large number of people, including Mohan Dharia and painter Ravi Paranjape, attended the funeral.
