DHAKA: Actress-singer Ruma Guha Thakurta passed away on Monday morning at her residence in Kolkata. She was 84.

Ruma was suffering from old age-related ailments.

After making her silver screen debut with Hindi film Jwar Bhata in 1944, Ruma Guha Thakurta, a niece of filmmaker Satyajit Ray, went on to star in Bengali movies like Ganga, Abhijaan, Palatak, Antony Firingee, 80 Te Asio Na, Balika Badhu, Dadar Kirti, 36 Chowringhee Lane, Amrita Kumbher Sandhane, Bhalobasa Bhalobasa and Wheelchair. She was last seen in English film The Namesake.

Apart from acting, Ruma was a popular playback singer too.

Ruma Guha Thakurta also founded the Calcutta Youth Choir, a song and dance troupe, in 1958, which is known for its performance of folk and mass songs.

Ruma Guha was singer-actor Kishore Kumar’s first wife. The two got married in 1951. They have a son, Amit Kumar. 

The couple divorced in 1960, after which Ruma tied the knot with Arup Guha Thakurta. Ruma and Arup have two children, Sromona Guha Thakurta and Ayan Guha Thakurta.

Ayan said his mother had returned to Kolkata only a month back after a three-month stay with Amit Kumar in Mumbai.

“Dada (Amit) is coming here this evening. He will be taking all the decisions (about her last rites),” Ayan said.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee shared her condolences on Twitter. 

She wrote, “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.”

Indian Express
BDST: 1333 HRS, JUNE 3, 2019
RS