Thespian Usha Ganguly Passes Away At 75, Shabana Azmi Mourns Her Death

Eminent theatre personality Usha Ganguly, known for her work in Hindi theatre, passed away at the age of 75.

New Delhi: Eminent theatre personality Usha Ganguly passed away on Thursday (April 23) at her residence in south Kolkata. She was 75. Usha was found motionless at her flat in Kolkata’s Lake Gardens area by her maid around 7 am, her family told PTI. A doctor was called in to check her. He declared that she died of a massive cardiac attack. Recalling Ganguly's contribution to theatre, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the state government had conferred her with the 'Girish Samman' honour in the year 2016. "My deep condolences to her family and friends and followers," Banerjee said in a statement in Bengali. Veteran Bollywood actress Shabana Azmi mourned her death on Twitter. She tweeted, “Deeply saddened to learn that the theatre doyen #Usha Ganguli passed away in her sleep this morning. I had worked with her in PAAR and seen many of her productions in which she was unparalled. My deepest condolences to the family RIP.”

Deeply saddened to learn that the theatre doyen #Usha Ganguli passed away in her sleep this morning. I had worked with her in PAAR and seen many of her productions in which she was unparalled. My deepest condolences to the family RIP

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) April 23, 2020

Ganguly is survived by a son but lived alone in her flat. Her husband Kamalendu passed away some years back. Usha's brother left for his heavenly abode three days earlier. Usha Ganguly founded the Rangakarmee group in 1976, which is known for non-conformist productions like  Rudali, Court Martial, Mahabhoj and Antaryatra. The thespian was credited for introducing a new form of alternative Hindi theatre in Bengal. Usha's friends recall her as saying, "Theatre is my only life and passion and Rangkarmee is my family." Her Rangakarmee gave a separate idiom, a new language to theatre in Bengal and created a new audience, which had so far been familiar with Bengali group theatre and English theatre, in the late 70s and 80s. Apart from thespian Shyamanand Jalan of Padatik , Usha was the only other theatre director to practise Hindi theatre in Kolkata, which is largely Bengali speaking. She ushered in the rich, glorious tradition of Hindi theatre in the 'City of Joy'. Usha Ganguly's Bengali productions include Mukti and Manasi. The Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee also worked with Rituparno Ghosh during the scripting for Raincoat. Ganguly's last rites were performed in the presence of her family and members of Rangakarmee at the Keoratala crematorium. (With PTI inputs)