The sudden passing away of veteran actor Nana Patekar on Thursday morning has left scores of his fans and friends shocked and deeply saddened. A pall of gloom has also descended over Anandwan at Warora as it shared a strong emotional five-decade-long bond with Nana. Nana Patekar was deeply moved on hearing about the humanitarian work of late Baba Amte and his better half late Sadhanatai Amte.

 

It had prompted Nana to visit Anandwan for the first time in 1979 to meet the Amte couple. Nana, just 27 at the time, had coem to Warora along with his wife Neelkanti Patekar and son Durvas. The visit soon blossomed into a deep bond and they weent on to stay at Anandwan for a good two years. Nana would participate in shramdan activities, contribute to creating small lakes and erecting low cost row houses for leprosy patients. Nana had shared with Baba his desire to keep working at Anandwan and serve the patients, but Baba was aware of young Nana’s talent and had advised him to pursue a career in acting. Notably, Nana enthusiastically participated in Mitra Melavas which were literary meets which would be organised in Warora with noted writers, musicians and actors in attendance.

 

Expressing his deep condolence on behalf of Anandwan inmates, the trustee of Maharogi Sewa Samiti, Kaustubh Amte became emotional. “Nana was impressed by the work of late Baba and Sadhanatai. Here, he would participate in all activities and celebrate every occasion with the leprosy patients. He had developed a close bond with the inmates and whenever he visited Anandwan, he would relive the time spent with them.” Nana Patekar’s death is a shock and in order to keep his memories alive, a banyan tree will be planted next to the memorial of Baba and Sadhanatai Amte at Shradhawan, informed Kaustubh Amte.