Noted playwright Vijay Tendulkar cremated (Lead)

Pune, May 19 (IANS) Noted Marathi playwright Vijay Tendulkar was cremated here Monday, a few hours after his death following prolonged illness, his family said.

Tendulkar, 80, was rushed to the Prayag Hospital here early Monday as his condition deteriorated. Doctors at the hospital declared him dead at 8 a.m.

Shirish Prayag, a doctor at the hospital, said: 'Tendulkar had been suffering from Myaesthena Gravis,a disease affecting the muscles, for the last one and a half years. He was first admitted in November last year and discharged in December. He fell ill again in April this year. He was readmitted but his condition did not improve.'

Tendulkar's funeral was held at about 11 a.m. at the Vaikunth crematorium here. It was attended by his family and friends, including actor and director Amol Palekar.

Tendulkar's friend Ashok Kulkarani said: 'A quick funeral was held. All his family and friends were present to bid him farewell.'

Palekar told IANS: 'The world of Marathi cinema is going to miss him a lot. He will be remembered for his work.'

Tendulkar was born on Jan 6, 1928. His son Raja and wife Nirmala both died in 2001. His daughter, actress Priya Tendulkar, died in 2002.

A Padma Bhushan awardee, Tendulkar was best known for his plays 'Ghashiram Kotwal' and 'Sakharam Binder'. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship for lifetime achievement.

In 1977, Tendulkar won the National Film Award for his screenplay of Shyam Benegal's movie 'Manthan'. He also wrote the screenplays for other critically acclaimed films like 'Nishant', 'Akrosh' and 'Ardh Satya'.