Pather Panchali's 'Durga', Uma Dasgupta is no more

Obituary: The veteran actress passed away at 85 due to a cardiac arrest

Uma Dasgupta, who played the role of Durga in Satyajit Ray's classic film Pather Panchali, passed away on Saturday at the age of 85. She had been admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata for the past few days and was undergoing treatment for a heart-related ailment.

Dasgupta's portrayal of Durga in Pather Panchali is considered one of the most iconic performances in Indian cinema.

She brought the character to life with her natural charm and innocence, and her performance helped the film win numerous awards, including the prestigious Palme d'Or at the 1955 Cannes Film Festival. Dasgupta also appeared in other films by Ray, such as Aparajito and Apur Sansar.

In addition to her work in cinema, Dasgupta was also a stage actress and a singer. She was known for her melodious voice and her ability to connect with audiences with her performances. Dasgupta's death is a great loss to the Indian film industry and she will be remembered for her iconic performance in Pather Panchali.

Here are some of the key details of Dasgupta's life and career:

• Born in Kolkata in 1935
• Made her film debut in Pather Panchali in 1955
• Appeared in over 50 films and television shows
• Received numerous awards for her work, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2009
• Died in Kolkata on Saturday, February 18, 2023

Dasgupta's passing has been met with sadness and tributes from the film industry and beyond.

Many of her colleagues and friends have taken to social media to express their condolences and share their memories of the actress. Dasgupta will be remembered as one of the most talented and beloved actresses of her generation.