Dalit poet Namdeo Dhasal dead

Mumbai, Jan 15:

Namdeo Laxman Dhasal, Dalit poet and author, ideologue and founder of the militant Dalit Panthers Party, died in a hospital early Wednesday after a prolonged illness, an aide said.

He was 64 and is survived by his wife Malika Sheikh and a son. He breathed his last around 4 a.m. Wednesday at Bombay Hospital after a long battle with cancer.

Dhasal’s body will be kept in Mumbai’s Ambedkar College for people to pay their last respects to the departed leader. The funeral will be held at Dadar crematorium Thursday afternoon, according to the aide.

His famous works include: ‘Golpitha’ the first volume of poems published in 1973, followed by ‘Moorkh Mhataryane’, ‘Tujhu Iyatta Kanchi’, ‘Khel’, ‘Priyadarshini’ (based on former prime minister Indira Gandhi, two novels – ‘Andhale Shatak’ and ‘Ambedkari Chalwal.’ (IANS)