Nagpur: Activist, writer and actor Vira Sathidar, 62, passed away on Monday night while under treatment for Coronavirus at AIIMS Nagpur. He is known for his role in the National Award-winning film ‘Court’, which was also nominated for an Oscar.

Though he was popular for essaying the role of Narayan Kamble, the protagonist, in ‘Court’, for the Ambedkarite movement and theatre in Nagpur and Vidarbha, Vira was much more than a movie artist. He was a poet, lyricist, literary activist, human rights activist, writer, journalist and teacher. He was actively associated with Dalit Panthers, the anti-caste movement.

Vira was born Vijay Vairagade in Parsodi village near Butibori to a father who used to work as a porter at Nagpur railway station, while his mother was a construction labourer. His parents were also associated with the Ambedkarite movement and they insisted he pursue an education. During his early days, he worked as a labourer in many factories in MIDC Nagpur. This was the period when he was influenced by the Leftist ideology. He also worked as a journalist for a local Marathi newspaper. Later, he edited ‘Vidrohi’, a Marathi magazine. Vira left the caste-expressing surname and took ‘Sathidar’ (comrade) as his second name, inspired by the Leftist movement. His songs were quite popular in ‘Ambedkari Jalsa’, a literary musical event in the street play format.

Ambedkarite activists Nihalsingh Rathod, Mukund Adevar, Dinanath Waghmare, Republican Movement’s Naresh Wahane, Prakash Kumbhe from RPI, Rajan Waghmare from RPI-A, and many other organisations paid tributes to Vira. “We have lost a father figure today,” said Rathod. “He will be missed badly. The news of his death, just a day before Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, is more painful,” he added.

‘Court’ director Chaitanya Tamhane said, “I am yet to process this extremely shocking news. I don’t know what to say; I am speechless right now. I fondly recall the time we took him on board as the lead actor for my debut directorial. He was one of the nicest human beings I met. We have lost a talented soul.”

Theatre activist Virendra Ganvir, who was close to Sathidar, said, “He was like a guru for many artists like us.” Communist leader Raju Desale said Vira’s style of working and energy was like that of a youth. “He participated in every movement for the enlightenment of society. Vira Sathidar was an important link in our movement. This is an irreparable loss for the Communist Party of India,” said Desale.

Vira’s last rites were performed on Tuesday afternoon. He is survived by his wife and son.

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Actor-activist Vira Sathidar, best known for featuring in the National Award-winning film Court, died on Tuesday due to Covid-19 related complications, filmmaker Chaitanya Tamhane confirmed.

The actor, who was in his early sixties, was admitted to a city hospital after he contracted the coronavirus.

According to Tamhane, who directed him in the acclaimed 2014 Court, the actor was put on ventilator and breathed his last around 3AM.

“It’s true. He passed away at around 3 AM in the hospital. He had Covid-19 and was on ventilator. It’s an extremely unfortunate news. It is yet to sink in,” Tamhane told PTI.

Sathidar rose to prominence after playing the role of protest singer Narayan Kamble in Court, who is accused of encouraging a manhole worker to commit suicide through one of his folk songs.