Noted Marathi lyricist Jagdish Khebudkar passes away

Born in 1932,Khebudkar wrote his first poem in 1948 after Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination,which was aired by the All-India Radio that year. Besides the 2,500 songs,he has also written 3,500 poems,25 stories and five plays among others.

A veteran of more than 350 films,including with legendary filmmakers like V Shantaram and Bhalji Pendharkar,Khebudkar is most remembered for his songs in movies like Saadhi Manasa,Pinjara,Saamna and many more. Tumhavar keli mee marji bahaal,Airanichyaa devaa tulaa,Dehaachi tizori,Devaa tuzhya daari and Malaa ho mhantaat lavangi mirchi are some of his popular songs.

He also penned songs for the period soap The Great Maratha,produced by Sanjay Khan. He produced programmes like Gav-ran Mevaa,Jiwachi Mumbai,Ramdarshan and Chitragangaa as well as a Marathi film Devghar.

In a career span of more than five decades,Khebudkar won several awards. He was also felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the Third Eye Asian Film Festival in Kolhapur last year.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar,PWD and Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal condoled the passing away of the veteran lyricist,saying that the void would be difficult to fill.

“Khebudkar’s lyrics appealed to people of all generations. He was a veteran in devotional,light classical and folk music,” Pawar said. Bhujbal said that Khebudkar instantly connected with the audience with his simple and easy writing.