Dev Anand given a tearful farewell in London

Actor Dev Anand, who ruled the hearts of millions of film enthusiasts for over six decades, was on Saturday bid a tearful adieu as his mortal remains were consigned to flames amid the tunes of some of his most memorable songs Abhi Na Jao Chor ke and Gaata Rahe Mera Dil.

The funeral ceremony was attended by a large number of people, including his family and close friends like Lord Meghnad Desai and Sahara chief Subroto Roy. His last rites were held according to Hindu traditions at the Putney Vale Crematorium in London.

His body -- kept in a casket, decked with flowers -- was taken to the crematorium in a motorcade as his admirers paid him rich tributes.

His wife Kalpana Kartik could not attend as she suffers from high blood pressure and remained behind in the Washington Mayfair Hotel where the actor breathed his last.

Besides his son Suneil and daughter Devina, his sister Sheila Kapoor, the mother of filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, were also present. So were the acting high commissioner of India Rakesh Prasad, his close friend Kartar Lalvani, Lord Karan Billimoria, and Baroness Shreela Flather.

Dev Anand died in London on December 3 at the age of 88 with his son by his side.

While fans in India could not have a last glimpse of the star, his ashes will be flown back to Mumbai, the city associated for over 60 years with the thespian's incomparable body of work. A memorial service will be held at Mehboob Studio in Mumbai on December 15.

True to his full-of-life image, his final journey saw some of his remarkable songs being sung as a tribute. Besides Abhi Na Jao Chor ke from his 1961 movie Hum Dono and Gata Rahe Mera Dil from the 1965 classic Guide, Phoolon ka taron ka from the 1971 hit Hare Rama Hare Krishna was also played.

"I am comforted that he is with the Lord. The spirit of Dev Anand will live forever," said his son Suneil.

"He was an eternal optimist and full of life. Dev Anand was one of the greatest showmen and kindest human being, his generosity knew no bounds. The world has lost a true legend," said his nephew Tony Sareen.

Before his body was cremated, a prayer service was conducted and a minute's silence was observed by the mourners.

"Apart from being an actor, he was a rare human being," is how Subroto Roy remembered him.

India's acting high commissioner Prasad said, "Dev Anand was a legendary filmstar, one of the greatest we had. His body of work will remain with us".

Apart from his work, the actor-filmmaker was known for his remarkable enthusiasm and zest for life. He not only outlived many of his contemporaries, but also continued to work till his last days. In fact, his last film Chargesheet was released in September.

Of late, he was involved in the all-American film Project "Song Of Life" -- a musical love story which was to be shot in the US. He was also looking ahead to making a sequel to Hare Rama Hare Krishna.

The Bollywood legend always said his films were an expression of his world view and hence dealt with socially relevant subjects.