Folk artist Vitthal Umap collapses on stage, dies

NAGPUR - Renowned Marathi theatre artist, folk singer and musician Vitthal Umap died after he collapsed on a stage during a function here late Friday, an aide said Saturday. He was 80.

Umap was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead on admission, the aide said.

The incident occurred when Umap was the chief guest at a function to launch a private television channel in the city.

He got up and paid homage to a statue of Lord Buddha on the stage and then raised a slogan of ‘Jai Bhim’ before faltering and falling on the stage.

Some stage volunteers immediately rushed the motionless Umap to a nearby hospital but doctors declared him dead.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, expressing shock at Umap’s demise, said he “literally served the theatre stage until his last breath”.

“Despite his advanced age, his energy would shame any youth and his dramatic works like ‘Baya Daar Ughad,’ ‘Khandobacha Lagin,’ ‘Vithu-Rakhumai,’ will remain before one’s eyes forever,” Chavan said.

Umap had composed a wide variety of poetry and songs and even used to sing. “He has left a permanent impression on the state’s cultural scenario,” Chavan said in a condolence message.