Noted historian and Padma Vibhushan awardee Balwant Moreshwar Purandare, popularly known as Babasaheb Purandare, died at a Pune hospital on Monday early morning, November 15, around 5 am after a brief illness. He had turned 100 this year on July 29.
The last rites are to be performed at the Vaikunth Crematorium at 10 am.
According to reports, Babasaheb was admitted to the city's Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital three days ago and was being treated for pneumonia.
He was on ventilator support in the hospital's intensive care unit after his health deteriorated on Sunday, November 14. He had been in an extremely critical condition since then, the doctor added.
An official statement released by the hospital mentioned that he passed at about 5.10 am due to ailments associated with old age and pneumonitis. His mortal remains were shifted to his residence in Parvati area where loved ones and admirers are paying their last respects.
शिवशाहीर बाबासाहेब पुरंदरे यांच्या पार्थिवावर शासकीय इतमामात अंत्यसंस्कार करण्याच्या सूचना मुख्यमंत्री उद्धव बाळासाहेब ठाकरे यांनी दिल्या आहेत.
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) November 15, 2021
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced a state funeral for Babasaheb Purandare. Moreover, Thackeray expressed his deepest condolences on the demise of Shiva Shahir.
शिवचिंतनात रमलेला असा शिवआराधक शोधून सापडणार नाही. या अलौकिक शिवसाधकाने शिवरायांच्या स्तुतीसाठीच प्रयाण केले असावे, अशा शब्दांत मुख्यमंत्री उद्धव बाळासाहेब ठाकरे यांनी शिवशाहीर पद्मविभूषण, महाराष्ट्र भूषण बाबासाहेब पुरंदरे यांच्या निधनावर तीव्र शोक व्यक्त करत श्रद्धांजली वाहिली.
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) November 15, 2021
Known by his moniker 'Shiv Shahir' (Shivaji's bard), Purandare was among the pre-eminent authorities on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences on the demise of Babasaheb Purandare. He tweeted, “I am pained beyond words.“Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare will live on due to his extensive works. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti.”
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. pic.twitter.com/Ehu4NapPSL
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 15, 2021
Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare will live on due to his extensive works. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 15, 2021
Offering his condolences, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar wrote to message to the Purandare family saying that the death was a great loss to the cultural world of Maharashtra. He had great affinity to the history of Maharashtra and its forts. He brought history of the state alive through his writings, talks, and plays like Jaanta Raja. With his passing, an important witness in Maharashtra’s long journey has been lost. “I join in grief with the family,” Pawar added.
महाराष्ट्रातील गड-किल्ले, इतिहास यांच्याबद्दल आस्था असलेलं त्यांचं व्यक्तिमत्वं होतं. लेखन,व्याख्यान,‘जाणता राजा’ सारख्या महानाट्याच्या माध्यमातून महाराष्ट्राचा इतिहास मांडण्याचा त्यांनी प्रयत्न केला.मी त्यांच्या कुटुंबियांप्रती सहसंवेदना व्यक्त करतो.भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली!
— Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) November 15, 2021
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari also expressed grief over the demise of notable author.
I consider it an honour to have known Shiv Shahir Babasaheb intimately and to receive his affection. His demise is therefore as much a personal loss for me. I offer prayers for the departed soul and convey my deepest condolences to the members of the bereaved family.
— Governor of Maharashtra (@maha_governor) November 15, 2021
The Maharashtra Government honoured him with Maharashtra Bhushan Award in 2015 and Madhya Pradesh Government has awarded him the Kalidas award.
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