Pune, February 12: FEW weeks from now, travellers driving to Mumbai on the Pune-Mumbai expressway can read a caution board as they approach Bhatan tunnel: Drive carefully: Ti Phulrani. It was here a year ago, an accident claimed the life of Bhakti Barve Inamdar, Marathi stage’s beloved phulrani.

Barve’s few friends and relatives who gathered at the site of the accident on Monday morning to remember the brilliant actress known for stage acts and films like Jane bhi do yaaron also has plans to institute an award in theatre.

The Bhakti Barve Smruti Samiti will first erect a plaque at the very spot between Riswadi police chowkey and Bhatan tunnel, 17 kms off Panvel. Says Vandana Khandekar, a close friend of Barve: ‘‘We want the board to be seen in the night too and are using special material for this. We will be erecting it soon and we welcome contributions.’’ The plaque is estimated to cost Rs 40,000.

Actress Bharati Achrekar, who was close to Bhakti, said it is hard to believe Barve is no more. ‘‘She never approved of overnight trips and this was probably the only one which unfortunately turned out to be her last. A person of hardly four feet 11 inch, she could literally take control of the stage and reach a height which no artiste could reach,’’ Achrekar said.

Among others who were present at the morning’s puja ceremony were Barve’s mother Susheela Barve, her elder sister Dr Ulka Chobhe and husband Dr P Chobhe, friends Madhu Ganu, Prakash Bhonde, Ashok Ranade, Anand Abhyankar, Nita Mundra, assistant Nandu and Prakash Kawale of Chaurang.

Pamphlets warning drivers on the expressway were distributed at the toll nakas. It read:

No doubt, this is an express highway/But cruise along it like a butterfly/In full control of your speed, body and mind!/sleepiness, dozing eyes....oh no!/Keep on your guard, Be awake, be sober/A journey should be an invitation/To joys, not to sorrows; To life, not to death!

-Phulrani
12/2/2001
Late Bhakti Barve Inamdar.