PAYING rich tributes to the departed soul, Nagpur remembered badminton great Nandu Natekar as “poetry in motion”. The shuttler, who mesmerised one and all with deception skills, particularly at the net, and stroke perfection, left for heavenly abode on Wednesday morning in hometown Pune. The 88-year-old won over 100 national and international titles in his career and was first badminton player to be awarded Arjuna Award in 1961. Natekar has been to the Orange City for umpteen times and his love for the city had brought him to launch his book titled ‘Krida Gatha’ in Nagpur in 2008. His book had many incidents related to Nagpur. But his main connection in city was with our own Chandrakant Deoras, more popularly known as CD Deoras. The Natekar-Deoras combine took the national crown three times out of four years between 1960 and 1963. The doubles partnership was quite famous and the duo dominated for several years. Many from city’s badminton fraternity proudly remember their association with the champion shuttler. President of Nagpur District Badminton Association (NDBA) Kundatai Vijaykar has seen Natekar from close quarters and that too for a long long time. She was devastated with the news of his demise. “It is very shocking and hurtful. I have been seeing him when I was 15. In those days, YMCA, Sitabuldi hosted many a historic tournament. Players like Nandu and TN Seth played regularly there. We used to go 1-1.5 hours before the start to get the front row seats to have a look from close range thinking that if Nandu drops a shuttle we would pick and give it to him,” said Kundatai going down memory lane. “Later on when I used to visit Mumbai, I would be there at Hindu Gymkhana or Bombay Gymkhana whenever there used to be badminton tournament to watch him play. I also used to play in those days. We had very good family relations. My parents went to attend his marriage. About 15 days ago his son Gaurav called me and when I asked about him, he said ‘jara slow ho gaye hai’.

 

“He was also a great singer. Very late in his life he started taking lessons in music. He was very much interested in music. I am feeling very bad since morning,” she said. Kundatai has been witness to his training regimen. “He was trained by his father. I must mention one thing about his training. His father used to tie a thread about 6-8 inches over the net and would ask him to play the drop shots through that gap only...such was his training. His mother and father used to attend all his tournaments,” she recalled. Former state-level player and ex-Secretary of NDBA T Thomas had seen Natekar rule the court. “My sincere condolences. He was one of the finest players I ever saw. He was equally at ease in singles and doubles. One of best combinations I have seen in doubles was with our own CD Deoras. He was humble and gentle person on and off the court. There was so much to learn from him. On the court his movements were like poetry in motion. I never saw him struggling or getting exhausted,” Thomas recalled. A reputed coach of city and international shuttler Kiran Makode also paid tributes.

 

“We have lost one of the greatest badminton stars of India. He was Dhyanchand of badminton in India. Known for artistry in his wrist, he could execute wide range of strokes with deadly accuracy. As a teenager, I was lucky to witness his game. Although he was past his prime, his magical skills especially backhand was a delight to watch. I was also lucky to have interacted with him on numerous occasions and every time he was generous enough to share from his vast treasure of knowledge. One of my fond memories and my priced possession is his book ‘Kirda Gatha’ which he gifted to me during its release in Nagpur,” Makode remembered. Secretary of NDBA Mangesh Kashikar, whose father Vijay was also a badminton player of repute, rated him as Maharashtra’s best player till date. “He earned himself and badminton a name in the state of Maharashtra. Till date he is the best player the State has produced. During a State Championship held at Nagpur, I specially invited him from Pune for felicitating him on behalf of NDBA for his services offered in the field of badminton in Maharashtra,” said Kashikar. Natekar was also very close to Dr Pramod Kolwadkar, the first radiologist of the city.