Veteran singer Leelatai Shelar passes away at 94 in Thane

Veteran Marathi singer Leelatai Shelar, a much-revered determine in Thane’s cultural panorama, handed away on Monday night at her residence in Thane metropolis. She was 94 and had been affected by age-related illnesses, her household confirmed. Unmarried, she is survived by her brother and his household.

Her remaining rites had been held late at evening on the Jawahar Bagh crematorium, the place residents, disciples, and music lovers gathered to bid her a heartfelt farewell. Fondly addressed as Guru Leelatai Shelar, she devoted her whole life to music, changing into not solely a performer but in addition a mentor to numerous college students. For many in Thane, her courses had been step one into the world of music, providing an accessible platform for strange residents to embrace the artwork kind.

Leelatai’s formal musical journey started beneath the tutelage of maestro Bhaskarrao Phatak. Her pursuit of excellence continued with 22 years of rigorous coaching beneath Pandit Achyut Abhyankar, himself a senior disciple of Pandit Firoz Dastur of the Kirana Gharana.

These childhood formed her as a disciplined and versatile artiste. Later, she expanded her repertoire by coaching in Bhavgeet and Bhaktigeet beneath guru Ram Mete. Inspired by him, she went on to ascertain Kalayatan in 1960 — an establishment that quickly grew to become synonymous with cultural enrichment in Thane.

Often described as town’s second temple of artwork after Gadkari Rangayatan, Kalayatan was instrumental in cultivating generations of singers and preserving Thane’s musical traditions.

Beyond instructing, Shelar was an lively stage performer, her melodious voice gracing numerous live shows. Her legacy can be etched in historical past for being the primary to sing lyricist P Savalaram’s iconic composition, “Ganga Jamuna Kachaan Vedhi Ka”, a music later immortalised by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar.

Also Read: 3 Idiots’ professor and veteran actor Achyut Potdar, passes away at 91

In recognition of her immense contribution, the Thane Municipal Corporation honoured her with the Thane Gaurav Award. Yet, for her disciples and admirers, her true achievement lay in her capacity to instil a love for music that transcended generations.

With her passing, Thane has misplaced not solely a celebrated singer but in addition a guiding mild who nurtured town’s creative spirit for greater than six many years.

(With PTI inputs)