Renowned Theatre Personality Usha Ganguly Dies At 75, Shabana Azmi Mourns Her Death

Renowned theatre personality Usha Ganguly had passed away in Kolkata on April 23. She was 75 at the time of death. As per PTI, she was found motionless at her flat in the Lake Gardens area of the city by her maid around 7 am, her family said.

She died of a cardiac arrest, as declared by a doctor. Ganguly is survived by a son.

Ganguly founded the Rangakarmee group in 1976, which is known for non-conformist productions like Mahabhoj, Rudali, Court Martial and Antaryatra. She is credited for introducing a new form of alternative Hindi theatre in Bengal and used to say, “Theatre is my only life and passion and Rangkarmee is my family.”

Her Rangakarmee gave a new language to the theatre in Bengal and she also worked in Hindi theatre in Kolkata, having both Bengali and non-Bengali speaking audiences. She also worked with Rituparno Ghosh during the scripting for Raincoat.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offered her condolences. “My deep condolences to her family and friends and followers,” the CM said in a statement in Bengali.

Shabana Azmi who worked with Usha Ganguly also mourned her death. 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 unparalleled. 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

May her soul rest in peace!

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