HUBLI, Jul 23: Eminent vocalist Gangubai Hangal was cremated with full state honours on the premises of Dr. Gangubai Hangal Gurukul — which is coming up near Unakal in Hubli — on Wednesday in the presence of hundreds of people from all walks of life.
After Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council Viranna Mattikatti, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar, district-in-charge Minister Murugesh Nirani and a host of other dignitaries placed wreaths on the mortal remains of the legendary vocalist, the family members performed the funeral ritual. Finally, Gangubai’s eldest son Baburao Hangal lit the funeral pyre.
Earlier, the body draped in the tricolour was carried to the site of cremation in a vehicle embellished with flowers; hundreds of people followed it on foot. Mr. Shettar, Mr. Mattikatti, Mr. Nirani, former Minister Basavaraj Horatti, MP Pralhad Joshi and several others joined the funeral procession. While the members of Bhajana mandal played music, the recordings of Gangubai’s renditions were also played. While many people visited “Ganga Lahari” before the start of the funeral procession and paid floral tributes, a few paid their last respect on the way to the cremation spot. The students of J.K. English Medium School had lined up along the roadside near their school with the school band. When the vehicle passed by, students and teachers showered flowers on it. A host of elected representatives and officials including Mayor Viranna Savadi; Deputy Mayor and former Minister H.K. Patil; MLAs Chandrakanth Bellad, Seema Masuti and Virabhadrappa Halaharavi; MLC Mohan Limbikai and others paid their last respects.
Prominent among the artistes present were Pt. Ganapati Bhat, Pt. Sheshagiri Hangal, Pt. Venkatesh Kumar, Sangeeta Katti, B.S. Math and Akkamahadevi Math, Vinayak Torvi, Ravindra Yavagal, Shivanand Patil and others.