Why Nana Patekar’s funeral was held late at night; son Malhar explains
PTC Web Desk: Veteran actor Nana Patekar was laid to rest with full state honours on Thursday night at his farmhouse near Pune. His son, Malhar Patekar, lit the funeral pyre at around 11.30 pm.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and several other dignitaries came to pay their respects. Thousands of fans also gathered at the farmhouse in Donje village on the city’s outskirts to say goodbye to the actor.
Malhar: 'His work made him immortal'
After the last rites, Malhar spoke to the reporters waiting outside. He said people like his father never really go away, because their work keeps them alive.
He also spoke about the thought his father often repeated: people should come together in the name of humanity and work to make the world a better place. Malhar said the Naam Foundation had already been working on water-related projects. It had also started large education and health programmes in Kashmir. According to him, Nana had given everyone a specific responsibility before he died and the family will carry the work forward.
Why so late at night?
Asked why the funeral took place so late, Malhar said the family was in Goa and had to bring the body to the farmhouse in Pune. They expected to reach earlier, but the journey took longer. Since Nana had died early that morning and many hours had already passed, the family decided to go ahead the same night.
How he died
Nana Patekar died on Thursday morning in Goa after a severe cardiac arrest. He felt uneasy in the early hours and called a friend. He was rushed to Manipal Hospital, where doctors tried to revive him for about 45 minutes, but could not save him.
Nana Patekar's last public appearance
Just four days before he died, Nana Patekar was out among Goa's folk artists, playing a traditional instrument, joining a local dance and speaking, in his usual unfiltered way, about the stage he had loved all his life.
He told the audience he did not know whether he would still be around the next day. The veteran actor died early Thursday at his home in Dona Paula, Goa. He was 75.
A Sunday spent with Goa's folk artists
Nana Patekar was present at the Goa Tourism Day celebrations on Sunday, October 4, where he spent time with local performers before addressing the gathering in Marathi. Video clips from the event show him playing the shamel, a traditional percussion instrument, and taking part in the dekhni, a Goan folk dance. CLICK HERE TO READ FULL TEXT
READ HERE | Nana Patekar's last few hours
- PTC NEWS
