Pulotsav, the art fest commemorating the birthday of Pu La Deshpande, started on Sunday with a tribute to his wife and Marathi author Sunita Deshpande who passed away on Saturday.

At the opening ceremony, Narendra Jadhav, member, Central Planning Commission and actor Nana Patekar paid tribute to Pu La Deshpande and Sunita Deshpande.

Jadhav said, “Pu La Deshpande was a celebration in himself. He will not only be remembered as an excellent author or actor, but as a human par excellence, whose search for perfection went on setting several milestone as he embraced every art form with equal dedication.”

Jhadav added that the sudden demise of Sunitabai has come as a shock or every Puneite.

Paying tribute to Sunitabai, actor Patekar, who was the chief guest at the inaugural function, said, “If Pu La was an iconic figure in art, Sunita Bai was his shadow. As we have been celebrating his versatility till now, we will also celebrate her immense contribution to Marathi literature. Today, her presence would have made a different impact.”

This year’s events
November 9:November 10:Varsaa at Tilak Smarak Mandir (6 pm)
November 11:Short film at Tilak Smarak Mandir (5 pm)
November 12:Discussion on entertainment and happiness at Pathfinder (11 am); short-film festival at NFAI (4 pm);
November 13:Presentation by Mangala Godbole at Pathfinder (11 am); Short films at NFAI (4 pm)
November 14:One-act Play at Pathfinder (11 am); short films at NFAI (4 pm)
November 15:.Discussion at Pathfinder (11 am), Short film at NFAI (4 pm)
November 16:Discussion on Maharashtra with politicians at Tilak Smarak Mandir (5pm); Poet Borkar at Tilak Smarak Mandir ( 9.30 pm)
November 17:Felicitation to Dilip Prabhawarkar at Tilak Smarak Mandir (at 5 pm); Interaction and Discussion with Sachin and Supriya at Tilak Smarak Mandir (7 pm); Evening with Sandeep Khare at Tilak Smarak Mandir (9.30 pm)
November 18:Closing ceremony at Tilak Smarak Mandir