On 3 June, veteran Bengali actor Ruma Guha Thakurta passed away at her Kolkata residence at the age of 84. The actor was known for her roles in several Satyajit Ray directorials like Ganashatru and Abhijan. She died of old age-related issues. According to reports, Ruma’s funeral will be held on the evening of 3 June.
“Dada (Amit) is coming here this evening. He will be taking all the decisions (about her last rites)“Ayan Guha Thakurta, Ruma’s son.
Apart from being a prolific actor known for her dynamic roles across Bengali cinema, Ruma was also a playback singer. She lended her voice for films like Lukochuri, Tin Konya, Bakso Badal and Mera Dharam Meri Maa. She founded the Calcutta Youth Choir in 1958. A group focused on folk performances for the masses.
Upon hearing the news of Ruma’s demise, Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter to share her condolences.
“Saddened at the passing away of Ruma Guha Thakurta. Her contribution to the field of cinema and music will always be remembered. My condolences to her family and her admirers,” she wrote on Twitter.
Ruma Guha Thakurta began her career in 1944 with the film Jwar Bhata by Amiya Chakrvarty. Majumdar directed Ruma in Polatak, Balika Bodhu and the evergreen comedy Dadar Kirti. She also acted in Aparna Sen's maiden directorial venture 36 Chowringhee Lane.
Ruma also starred in Mira Nair’s The Namesake, an adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s book of the same name. The Namesake was Ruma’s last project before she died.
During the course of her life, Ruma Guha Thakurta was briefly married to Bollywood singer Kishore Kumar with whom she had a son Amit Kumar. Amit Kumar is a Bollywood singer and music composer. After her divorce with Kishore Kumar, Ruma married Arup Guha Thakurta and had two children with him.
(With inputs from NDTV, IANS)
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