HUBLI: Musician and litterateur Ganayogi Puttaraj Gawai passed away at Gadag Veereshwara Punyashrama on Friday after a prolonged illness. Gawai, 97, was suffering from breathing problems and kidneyrelated complications.
He was brought to Gadag Punyashrama on Monday evening from Belgaum KLE Hospital after he failed to respond to treatment. He was put on ventilator at the ashram.
Complications resurfaced in the wee hours of Friday and his blood pressure level decreased. By noon, district health officer Dr GM Channashetty declared him dead. He breathed his last after drinking the holy water which was used to worship at the grave of Pundit Panchakshari Gawai.
His body was taken in a procession to HK Patil Stadium, where it was kept for people to pay their tributes. Thousands of people, including religious heads and political leaders, paid tribute to the departed soul. The body will remain there till 10 am on Saturday, then taken in a procession to the ashram in the afternoon, where the last rites are expected to be held at 5 pm.