Noted historian Babasaheb Purandare passes away

Eminent historian, author and theatre personality Babasaheb Purandare passed away in a Pune hospital on Monday.

Babasaheb had turned 100 earlier this year.

Babasaheb Purandare was admitted to the Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital and Research Centre in Pune where he breathed his last in the wee hours.

The last rites would be performed later in the day.

Babasaheb Purandare’s works are mostly based on the events related to the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the 17th-century Maratha warrior, who laid the foundation of Hindavi Swarajya. He is mostly known for his popular play on Shivaji Maharaj - Jaanata Raja - which was popular not only in Maharashtra but also other states. This drama is performed by over 200-plus artists with elephants, camels and horses on the grand stage. Generally, the performance of this drama begins around Diwali each year.

Popularly, known as Shiv Shahir (Shivaji's bard), the Pune-based Babasaheb Purandare is a recipient of several awards including Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour of India and Maharashtra Bhushan, the highest honour of the state.

A 2008 TV show Raja Shivchatrapati, depicting the life of Shivaji Maharaj, was based on a historical book written by Babasaheb Purandare.

Chhatrapati Udyanraje Bhosale, the 13th descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from the Satara royal family, paid tributes to Babasaheb Purandare.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Purandare will live on due to his extensive works. "I am pained beyond words. The demise of Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare leaves a major void in the world of history and culture. It is thanks to him that the coming generations will get further connected to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. His other works will also be remembered," PM Modi tweeted.

Born on July 29, 1922, at Saswad near Poona (now Pune), Purandare was fascinated by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from an early age and he wrote essays and stories, which were later published in a book Thinagya (Sparks).

Over eight decades of his writing and theatre career, Purandare delivered more than 12,000 lectures on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and studied all the forts and history of the Maratha Empire, making him an authority on the subject.

Watch the latest DH Videos here: