State funeral for Kusumagraj

NASHIK, MARCH 11: Renowned Marathi poet and playwright, Vishnu Waman Shirwadkar alias Kusumagraj', who died yesterday of cardiac arrest ...

NASHIK, MARCH 11: Renowned Marathi poet and playwright, Vishnu Waman Shirwadkar alias Kusumagraj8217;, who died yesterday of cardiac arrest at the age of 87, was cremated today with full State honours. No religious rituals were conducted during the cremation, as the poet had left specific instructions to the effect.

The funeral cortege, with Kusumagraj8217;s body wrapped in the national flag, was escorted by police from his residence to the Yeshwantrao Maharaj Patangan on the banks of the Godavari. Thousands of people, including eminent writers, participated in the funeral procession. Kusumagraj8217;s funeral pyre was lit by his nephew Prakash and his close associates Vasantrao Patil and Shivajirao Patil at around 11.15 am.

A contingent of 20 policemen fired three rounds each as a mark of respect to the departed author. Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde paid homage on behalf of the Government. Among those who were present were the President of the Marathi Literary Conference Professor Vasant Bapat, its former president D M Mirasdar, Social Welfare Minister Babanrao Gholap, Health Minister Dr Daulatrao Aher, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Prataprao Bhosale, leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Madhukar Pichad, Minister of State for Energy Tukaram Dighole and Director General of Police Arvind Inamdar.

Those who visited Kusumagraj8217;s residence to pay homage included Chief Minister Narayan Rane, veteran actor Shriram Lagoo and Congress leader Sharad Pawar.

Speaking at the cremation ground, Munde announced that the State Government would create a memorial to Kusumagraj in Nashik.

Munde said Kusumagraj8217;s literature would continue to influence generations. He said the departed author had kindled the love for the mother tongue among Marathi-speaking people, and said his words would continue to remind them of their identity. He said Kusumagraj was not just a writer but had also worked among tribals.

Prof Bapat said Kusumagraj was a doer as well as a seer8217;, and that he was committed towards ending social evil. He pointed out that Kusumagraj8217;s poem, Kranticha Jaijaikar, had influenced a whole generation of Marathi- speaking people, motivating them to participate in the freedom struggle.

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President of the Kusumagraj Pratisthan, retired judge Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari, said Kusumagraj would continue to be the leading light and inspiration for those committed to fighting social evil.