Marathi writer Ratnakar Matkari, aged 81, passed away due to COVID-19 on Sunday. The National Award-winning director-producer, who was considered a pioneer of children's drama movement in Marathi, was cremated at Mumbai's Bhoiwada crematorium on Monday in the presence of his family members. Matkari's work included 39 plays, 20 books on short stories, 13 novels and 16 children's full-length plays.