Nashik bids a tearful farewell to Marathi film director Rajiv Patil

NASHIK: Thousands paid a teary farewell to Marathi film director Rajiv Patil, who was cremated at Amardham in Nashik on Tuesday.
The director, known for his critically acclaimed movies such as Jogwa and Pangira, passed away on Monday following a heart attack in Mumbai's Bhagwati Hospital. He is survived by his wife Suvarna and daughter Era, his parents and his brother Prashant.
His body was brought to Nashik at 1.30 am on Tuesday in a special van. The funeral procession began at 8.30 am on Tuesday as thousands of followers gathered at his residence. Leading personalities from the political, social, cultural and educational fields paid their last respects.
The funeral procession passed through Govind nagar, Mumbai naka and Trimbak naka. The Nashik Municipal Corporation offered a garland at the Kalidas Kala Mandir as the procession halted briefly. From here, the procession moved to Parshuram Saikhedkar Hall via Shalimar. The procession then moved to M G Road, Chandwadkar Lane, Dahipul, Nehru Chowk, Modakeshwar temple and reached Amardham via Talkute Marg.
Musicians Ajay-Atul, actresses Namrata Gaikwad and Shweta Patil and office bearer of Natya Parishad (Mumbai) Deepak Karanjkar attended the funeral. "We lost a big artist in the field of experimental theatre," Karanjkar said. He announced that a condolence meet would be held on October 14 and the tenth day rites would be conducted on October 9.
Nashik mayor Yatin Wagh, Nationalist Congress Party MP Sameer Bhujbal, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MLAs Nitin Bhosale and Vasant Gite, Shiv Sena MLA Baban Gholap and Nashik District Maratha Vidya Prasarak Samaj general secretary Neelima Pawar were present.
Remembering Patil, Manikrao Kokate said that he had achieved a lot in a very short span of time. "His films gave direction to the society. His national award winning film, Jogwa, also dealt with social issues."
Sameer Bhujbal said that Patil's sad demise was a big loss for Nashikites and the film fraternity of Maharashtra. Gholap said that Patil's sudden death came as shocking news. "Because of him many artists and technicians had become very hopeful. We have lost a precious gem," he said.
Mayor Yatin Wagh said that Rajiv Patil had created a niche for himself in very less time. "He gave a platform to many artists of in Nashik. His death is a big loss to the film world," he said. Gite said that he had met Patil on a number of occasions as Patil had a desire of establishing a film city here.
Corporator Ashwini Boraste said, "His work will be remembered forever."