Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 16: Padamshri, Moti Lal Kemmu a doyen of theatre in Jammu and Kashmir and former Additional Secretary J&K Academy breathed his last here yesterday after a prolonged illness. He was cremated this afternoon at Shastri Nagar Cremation Ground near, here.
A large number of people including art lovers, scholars and theatre personalities attended his last rites and gave a touching adieu to him.
Kemmu, 85 is survived by his wife, three sons and a daughter. He is the grand father of Kunal Kemmu a Bollywood actor.
Kemmu, recipient of many national and State awards has bagged the prestigious Shahitya Akademi Award, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Communal Harmony Award, Senior Citizens Award etc. He got four awards from four different presidents of India for his contribution to theatre and art.
Kemmu an author of many books on theatre gained popularity after bringing Kashmiri folk theatre Band Pather and Gosani Pather to limelight. He remained associated with theatre up to last and only gave it up one year back after his health broke down completely.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has condoled the demise of Kemmu whom she described a well known theatre activist and playwrite.
The Chief Minister who also is the president of J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages said the contribution of late Kemmu to Kashmiri theatre would always be remembered. She has conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for peace of the departed soul.
The Kashmiri Department of University of Kashmir also held a condolence meeting under the chairmanship of HoD Kashmiri, Prof Majroo Rashid in which the services of Kemmu to theatre were recalled. The gathering paid glowing tributes to departed soul.
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