Veteran singer Leelatai Shelar passes away at 94 in Thane

Leelatai Shelar passes away at 94

Veteran Marathi singer Leelatai Shelar, a much-revered figure in Thane’s cultural landscape, passed away on Monday evening at her residence in Thane city. She was 94 and had been suffering from age-related ailments, her family confirmed. Unmarried, she is survived by her brother and his family.

Her final rites were held late at night at the Jawahar Bagh crematorium, where residents, disciples, and music lovers gathered to bid her a heartfelt farewell. Fondly addressed as Guru Leelatai Shelar, she devoted her entire life to music, becoming not only a performer but also a mentor to countless students. For many in Thane, her classes were the first step into the world of music, offering an accessible platform for ordinary citizens to embrace the art form.

Leelatai’s formal musical journey began under the tutelage of maestro Bhaskarrao Phatak. Her pursuit of excellence continued with 22 years of rigorous training under Pandit Achyut Abhyankar, himself a senior disciple of Pandit Firoz Dastur of the Kirana Gharana.

These formative years shaped her as a disciplined and versatile artiste. Later, she expanded her repertoire by training in Bhavgeet and Bhaktigeet under guru Ram Mete. Inspired by him, she went on to establish Kalayatan in 1960 — an institution that soon became synonymous with cultural enrichment in Thane.

Often described as the city’s second temple of art after Gadkari Rangayatan, Kalayatan was instrumental in cultivating generations of singers and preserving Thane’s musical traditions.

Beyond teaching, Shelar was an active stage performer, her melodious voice gracing countless concerts. Her legacy is also etched in history for being the first to sing lyricist P Savalaram’s iconic composition, “Ganga Jamuna Kachaan Vedhi Ka”, a song later immortalised by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar.

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In recognition of her immense contribution, the Thane Municipal Corporation honoured her with the Thane Gaurav Award. Yet, for her disciples and admirers, her true achievement lay in her ability to instil a love for music that transcended generations.

With her passing, Thane has lost not only a celebrated singer but also a guiding light who nurtured the city’s artistic spirit for more than six decades.

(With PTI inputs)