Kolkata, Sept 24: Well-known Marathi writer Tara Pandit died at her residence here following a cardiac arrest, her family sources said. She was 75 and is survived by her husband, a son and a daughter. According to the sources, Pandit had been ailing for some time and was on respiratory support. The end came on Sunday. Born in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, she graduated from Morris college, Nagpur, and chose a career in writing and research, having produced 14 books in Marathi, including novels, besides over 400 articles and features in major Marathi newspapers. Settled in Kolkata since 1952 following her marriage to landscape artist Vasant Pandit, her singular contribution remains the translation of a formidable corpus of Marathi literature into Bengali and vice-versa.
Winner of the 'Soviet Land' award for her science fiction 'Chhote Shastrajna,' Pandit also forayed into theatre, her Marathi translation of the Bengali play 'Aparajita' having been staged by eminent actress Rohini Hattangadi. Her translation of the Marathi play 'Char Chaughi' into Bengali ran to packed houses in Kolkata.
Pandit also served the Maharashtra Mandal as secretary and president.
Bureau Report