Marathi actor Ganpati Patil no more

MUMBAI: Ganpat Patil, who essayed the effeminate character of 'Nachya', a dancer in several Marathi films, died in Kolhapur in western Maharashtra on Sunday following a brief illness. He was 89.
    
Patil passed away at his residence, family sources said. He was cremated on the banks of Panchganga river in the evening.
    
During a career spanning five decades, Patil acted in over 200 films. He first faced the movie camera for the film 'Bal Dhruv', when he was 14.
    
Awarded the Chitrabhushan award in 2006 by the All India Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal, Patil's last role was in the film 'Mukhyamantri Ganpya Gawade'.
    
Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh condoled Patil's death, describing him as a great artiste. He gave popularity to the character of Nachya, Deshmukh said.