Babasaheb Purandare, noted historian and Padma Vibhushan awardee, dies in Pune; PM Modi condoles death

New Delhi: Noted historian-writer and Padma Vibhushan awardee Babasaheb Purandare on Monday (November 15, 2021) morning died at a private hospital in Pune (Maharashtra).

Balwant Moreshwar Purandare, popularly known as Babasaheb, was admitted to the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital a couple of days back due to age-related ailments.

According to the Mayor of Pune, Babasaheb Purandare breathed his last at 5:07 AM.

वंदनीय शिवशाहिरांना भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली !

महाराष्ट्राच्या कणाकणात असलेल्या छत्रपती शिवरायांच्या जाज्ज्वल्य इतिहासाचं स्फुल्लिंग मराठीजनांच्या मनामानात चेतवणारे शिवशाहीर वंदनीय बाबासाहेब पुरंदरे यांची आज पहाटे ५:०७ वा. प्राणज्योत मालवली. त्यांना भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली. pic.twitter.com/1qb2buqZ0z — Murlidhar Mohol (@mohol_murlidhar) November 15, 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death and expressed that he is 'pained beyond words'. The Prime Minister also said that Babasaheb will live on due to his extensive works. 

"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," PM Modi tweeted.

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

PM Modi also said that Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare was 'witty, wise and had rich knowledge' of Indian history.

Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare was witty, wise and had rich knowledge of Indian history. I had the honour of interacting with him very closely over the years. A few months back, had addressed his centenary year programme. https://t.co/EC01NsO1jc — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 15, 2021

Earlier on Sunday, Dr Dhananjay Kelkar, Medical Director, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, had informed that Babasaheb was on a ventilator support.

Purandare has died aged 99. 

He was conferred with Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, in 2019 and the Maharashtra Bhushan award in 2015. He had also penned various books on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and had dedicated his life to history and research.

Babasaheb had also written and directed the play "Jaanta Raja" which reportedly has been performed by over 200 artists and translated and enacted in as many as five languages.