A leading Indian playwright and writer, Vijay Tendulkar, has died in the western city of Pune.

Tendulkar, 80, had been ill for a long time and passed away at home.

He wrote over 30 plays, screenplays and other forms of prose and in recognition of his literary talents, he won many academic and civilian awards.

Tendulkar, who was known for his piercing insight and realistic depiction of human nature, began writing as a teenager.

Some of his best known plays are Ghasiram Kotwal, Shanta! Court Chalu Ahe (Silence! The Court Is in Session), Gidhade (Vultures) and Sakharam Binder. Read more