Veteran Marathi Writer, Playwright Ratnakar Matkari Succumbs To COVID-19

Mumbai: Versatile Marathi writer, director and playwright Ratnakar Matkari, 81, died late on Sunday midnight after testing positive of COVID-19. He was hospitalised for a routine check-up in Mumbai’s Memorial Hospital. He was shifted to SevenHills Hospital once his COVID-19 test result came positive. 

Matkari is considered to be one of the most proclaimed writers in the history of Marathi literature with prestigious honours like Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Sahitya Akademi awards under his name. 

He was known for writing that brought out a middle-class analogy and local touch to stories. Matkari’s mastery of thrillers (Goodh Kathas) brought him laurels. His other works were related to children’s drama like Alabatya Galabatya and Nimma Shimma Rakshah, short stories and his theatre autobiography, Maaze Rangaprayog. 

His most popular works include Aranyak (concluding chapter from Mahabharata), Lokakatha 78 (portrayal of Dalit life), Dubhang, Ashwamedh, Jawai Maaza Bhala, Chaar Diwas Premache, Ghar Tighanche Hawe, Khol Khol Paani and Indira. 

Other than his writing, Ratnakar Matkari was known for his involvement in Narmada Bachao Andolan during the 1990s.