Ambedkarite artist Vira Sathidar, most recognisable for acting in the National Award-winning film ‘Court’, passed away in Nagpur on Tuesday
Vira Sathidar in 'Court'. Picture courtesy/mid-day archives
Actor-activist Vira Sathidar, most recognised for his role in the National Award-winning film ‘Court’, passed away early Tuesday due to COVID-19 related complications. The Ambedkarite cultural icon was in his early sixties and had been admitted to a hospital in his hometown Nagpur after contracting the coronavirus. According to reports, he had been put on a ventilator for the last two days and breathed his last at 3 am.
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Friends and colleagues expressed shock and grief. “I am still processing the news. It is extremely disturbing,” filmmaker Chaitanya Tamhane who directed Sathidar in the 2015 release ‘Court’ told Mid-Day.com. “He was a blessing for the film and was one of the nicest people I have worked with. He was not only an actor but a very important activist and poet. It is a huge loss. He was a great human being.”
Vivek Gomber, Chaitanya Tamhane, Vira Sathidar, Sambhaji Bhagat and Geetanjali Kulkarni. Photo courtesy: Chaitanya Tamhane
In the film, Sathidar essayed the role of Narayan Kamble, an aging protest singer, who is accused of inspiring a manhole worker to commit suicide through one of his folk songs. While he became widely popular for playing the part, Sathidar was a renowned figure in the left and Dalit cultural movements. He edited ‘Vidrohi’, a Marathi bi-weekly magazine, and was associated with organisations such as Republican Panthers Jantiantachi Chalwal, fighting for Dalit rights and against the caste system.
Sambhaji Bhagat, one of Maharashtra’s foremost lokshahirs , closely knew the artist who identified as a left Ambedkarite. “He was not just an artist but a huge intellectual. His contribution to the cultural sphere was immense,” Bhagat says. “Most people know him because of the film ‘Court’ but he was instrumental in cultural movements in Maharashtra whether it is related to poetry or anything else.”
Sathidar's activism came from lived experience. He is said to have worked in factories and seen poverty up-close. “He was associated with the Ambedkarite movement as well as with the causes of labourers. He had a very futuristic outlook and was extremely sharp. He was extremely down-to-earth,” Bhagat further notes. “I composed the songs for ‘Court’ and he enacted them with perfection. Since we had worked earlier as well, he knew my style of working. So, it was very easy for him to perform.”
Actor Vivek Gomber, who was Sathidar’s co-actor and the producer of ‘Court’, also expressed shock. “I feel very sad for his family. He was so full of life, jovial and honest. I would remember him as someone who was extremely passionate and exhibited the same energy and enthusiasm for everything he did.”
Tributes poured in for the multi-faceted artist on social media as well. Author Aseem Chhabra tweeted, “#ViraSathidar, the activist poet in #ChaitanyaTamhane’s #Court (he was a poet and activist in real life as well) has died due to Covid. In his honor we should all watch #Court again.” Activist Kavita Krishnan shared, “Shocked to learn that we lost Vira Sathidar, revolutionary street theatre activist, singer, writer, poet, actor, to Covid-19. This is a huge loss. Many of you may know him from his performance as lead actor in "Court" (2015).”
#ViraSathidar, the activist poet in #ChaitanyaTamhane’s #Court (he was a poet and activist in real life as well) has died due to Covid. In his honor we should all watch #Court again. pic.twitter.com/whM9RQgrbI
— Aseem Chhabra (@chhabs) April 13, 2021
Shocked to learn that we lost Vira Sathidar, revolutionary street theatre activist, singer, writer, poet, actor, to Covid-19. This is a huge loss. Many of you may know him from his performance as lead actor in "Court" (2015). https://t.co/fuuTFdaZBq
— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) April 13, 2021
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