<p>The funeral ceremony was joined in by a large number of people, including his family and close friends like Lord Meghnad Desai and Sahara chief Subroto Roy, as his last rites were held according to Hindu tradition at the Putney Vale Crematorium. His body kept in a casket, decked with flowers, was taken to the crematorium in a motorcade as his admirers paid him rich tributes. His wife Kalpana Kartik could not attend as she had high blood pressure and remained behind in the Washington Mayfair hotel where the actor breathed his last. <br /><br />Besides his son Suneil and daughter Devina, his sister Bonnie Sareen, was also present. So were the acting High Commissioner of India Rakesh Prasad, his close friend Kartar Lalvani, Lord Karan Billimoria, and Baroness Shreela Flather.<br /><br />Dev Anand died here on December 3 at the age of 88 with his son by his side. While fans in India could not have a last glimpse of the star, his ashes will be flown back to Mumbai, the city associated for over 60 years with the thespian’s incomparable body of work. A memorial service will be held at the Mehboob studio in Mumbai on December 15.<br /><br />“I am comforted that he is with the Lord. The spirit of Dev Anand will live forever,” said his son Suneil. Dev Anand, known for his signature puff hair and swagger, lived by the philosophy of ‘Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata chala gaya, har fikar ko dhuen mein udata chala gaya’, a song written for him by friend Sahir Ludhiyanwi.<br /><br />“He was an eternal optimist and full of life. Dev Anand was one of the greatest showmen and kindest human being, his generosity knew no bounds. The world has lost a true legend,” said his nephew Tony Sareen. Before his body was cremated, a prayer service was conducted and a minute’s silence was observed by the mourners.“Apart from being an actor, he was a rare human being,” is how Subroto Roy remembered him.</p>
<p>The funeral ceremony was joined in by a large number of people, including his family and close friends like Lord Meghnad Desai and Sahara chief Subroto Roy, as his last rites were held according to Hindu tradition at the Putney Vale Crematorium. His body kept in a casket, decked with flowers, was taken to the crematorium in a motorcade as his admirers paid him rich tributes. His wife Kalpana Kartik could not attend as she had high blood pressure and remained behind in the Washington Mayfair hotel where the actor breathed his last. <br /><br />Besides his son Suneil and daughter Devina, his sister Bonnie Sareen, was also present. So were the acting High Commissioner of India Rakesh Prasad, his close friend Kartar Lalvani, Lord Karan Billimoria, and Baroness Shreela Flather.<br /><br />Dev Anand died here on December 3 at the age of 88 with his son by his side. While fans in India could not have a last glimpse of the star, his ashes will be flown back to Mumbai, the city associated for over 60 years with the thespian’s incomparable body of work. A memorial service will be held at the Mehboob studio in Mumbai on December 15.<br /><br />“I am comforted that he is with the Lord. The spirit of Dev Anand will live forever,” said his son Suneil. Dev Anand, known for his signature puff hair and swagger, lived by the philosophy of ‘Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata chala gaya, har fikar ko dhuen mein udata chala gaya’, a song written for him by friend Sahir Ludhiyanwi.<br /><br />“He was an eternal optimist and full of life. Dev Anand was one of the greatest showmen and kindest human being, his generosity knew no bounds. The world has lost a true legend,” said his nephew Tony Sareen. Before his body was cremated, a prayer service was conducted and a minute’s silence was observed by the mourners.“Apart from being an actor, he was a rare human being,” is how Subroto Roy remembered him.</p>