Renowned artistPadma Bhushan winner Laxman Pai dies at 95 in Goa

PANAJI : Renowned Goa-based artist Laxman Pandharinath Pai passed away on Sunday night in Goa after a brief battle with illness. Pai was 95 when he passed away at his home in Dona Paula in Margao, South Goa.

A much-decorated artist, Pai was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, the

Nehru Award and three Lalit Kala Akademi awards.

He had also participated in Goa’s liberation movement from Portuguese rule and was imprisoned at least thrice for his political activism.

Pai began his art education at the Sir JJ School of Art in Mumbai but went on to hone his skills in Paris where he studied etching and fresco at the École des Beaux-Arts.

“Deeply saddened by the passing away of renowned Goan artist Padma Bhushan Shri Laxman Pai. Goa has lost a gem today. We will always remember his immense contribution in the field of art. My heartfelt condolences to his family. Om shanti,” Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant tweeted on hearing the news of demise.

The leader of the Opposition in the Goa assembly Digambar Kamat also expressed grief over Pai’s death and said the later painter remained active till his last breath with his mastered art of painting.

“Deeply saddened by the passing away of eminent Goan artist of International repute Padma Bhushan Laxman Pai. His passing away will create a big void in the field of art. He remained active till his last breath with his mastered art of painting,” he said in a statement.