PANDIT UMESH PANDEY IS NO MORE

PANDIT UMESH PANDEY IS NO MORE

12-JAN-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA----------------------------Pandit Umesh Pandey, father of renowned Bihari film actress Chhavi Pandey and founder of the famous fine arts institution 'Navrang', passed away. He breathed his last at his residence on Ashok Rajpath on Saturday. He had celebrated his 80th birthday on January 4th. He was a gifted art teacher and a humble devotee of Goddess Saraswati.

His demise has cast a pall of gloom over the art and literary world. Upon receiving the news of his death, Dr. Anil Sulabh, President of the Bihar Hindi Sahitya Sammelan and patron of 'Navrang', and renowned theater artist Kumar Anupam visited his residence to pay their last respects and offer floral tributes. In his condolence message, Dr. Sulabh said that through the fine arts center 'Navrang', the late Pandey had been training children and teenagers in singing, instrumental music, and dance for the past fifty years. Many generations have received guidance from him. Bihar Agriculture Minister Ram Kripal Yadav and MLA Shyam Rajak also visited his residence to express their condolences and console the bereaved family.

On Sunday afternoon, Pandit Pandey's cremation was performed at Gulbi Ghat. His only son, Manish Pandey, lit the funeral pyre. He is survived by his widow Geeta Pandey, younger brother Jayant Pandey, daughters Rashmi, Pallavi, and Chhavi, grandson Ayansh, and a large grieving family. The grieving family members include Nilesh Pandey, Shyamal Mishra, Sanjay Pandey, Kunal Shukla, and Vibhakar.

Those who expressed their condolences include Patna University Syndicate member Nitish Tandon, Sitaram, and a large number of students from the Navrang Fine Arts Center.