Veteran actor Nana Patekar passed away early morning on Thursday (October 8) in Dona Paula, Goa. He was cremated with full state honours at his farmhouse in Pune later that night. His last rites were done around 11.30 pm at the family’s farmhouse, Nanachi Wadi in Donje village, situated in the outskirts of Pune.
It was unusual for the cremation to happen so late at night since in Hindu tradition, the last rites are generally performed during the day as doing it after sunset is considered inauspicious. However, practices vary across regions, communities and family traditions, and circumstances surrounding a death may also influence time of the funeral.
Following the funeral, Patekar’s son, Malhar Patekar, explained why the last rites were held so late at night.
He told reporters that the family had initially expected his father’s remains to reach the village earlier. However, the delay in transportation meant the final journey took longer than anticipated. Since Patekar died at the crack of dawn on Thursday, and several hours had already passed since the tragedy, the family decided to complete the last rites on Thursday itself.
“We were in Goa, and his mortal remains were to be brought to the farmhouse in the village. We expected it to arrive earlier, but it took us some time. We proceeded (with the last rites today) because the tragedy occurred early this morning, so a significant amount of time had already passed. That is why we decided to go ahead with it today,” he said.
The actor was cremated with full state honours in the presence of political leaders, members of the film industry and more than 1,000 admirers. A 21-gun salute by female police officers marked the ceremony, while his mortal remains, draped in the Tricolour, were accompanied by a marching band.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid tributes to the actor at the Pune International Airport upon the arrival of the mortal remains from Goa in the evening.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, Union Ministers Ramdas Athawale and Murlidhar Mohol, state ministers Chandrakant Patil, Uday Samant and Madhuri Misal, Lok Sabha MP Sunil Tatkare, NAAM Foundation co-founder and actor Makarand Anaspure, FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, actor Jackie Shroff, Sajid, filmmakers Anil Sharma, Sajid Nadiadwala and several personalities from Bollywood, politics, sports and social arena were present.
According to his aides, Patekar had said in the past that he would like to be cremated at his farmhouse.
Speaking after performing the last rites, his son Malhar said that his father's only teaching was that people should unite and walk on the right path for the betterment of humanity. "His work through the Naam Foundation (which works for farmers in drought-prone areas) was unparalleled and we will take it forward," he added.
