Kolkata: Bengali singer-actress Ruma Guha Thakurta passed away after prolonged illness at her home at 84. The family confirmed the news on Monday.
Ruma was also the founder of the Calcutta Youth Choir (CYC), which played a stellar role in popularising mass songs in Bengal.
The late actress showcased her talent in a number of Hindi and Bengali movies working with celebrated directors like Satyajit Ray, Tapan Sinha and Tarun Majumdar.
Born in Kolkata in 1934, Ruma married legendary singer Kishore Kumar in 1951 and the couple's only child Amit Kumar was born next year. The couple divorced in 1958 and that year Guha Thakurta formed the CYC with composer Salil Chowdhury and Ray.
The choir rendered with aplomb the Bengali translations of popular mass songs from various languages. Their discs were lapped up by music lovers.
In 1974, the CYC, under her direction, won the first prize at the Copenhagen Youth Festival.
After her divorce from Kishore Kumar, she married Arup Guha Thakurta. They have a son Ayan and a daughter Sramana, a noted singer.
She has done playback for a number of films including "Lukochuri", "Tin Kanya" (directed by Ray), "Baksho Badal" and "Amitra Kumbher Sandhane".
After marking her Bollywood debut with 'Jwar Bhata' in 1944, she went on to feature in 'Mashaal', 'Afsar' and 'Rag Rang'.
Following her stint in Hindi film industry, Ruma moved towards Bengali films with Rajen Tarafdar's classic 'Ganga' in 1952.
Guha Thakurta acted in Ray's 'Abhijaan' and 'Ganasahtru' while playing prominent roles in three of Sinha's films 'Nirjan Saikate', 'Khaniker Atithi' and 'Wheel Chair'.
Majumdar directed her in 'Polatak', 'Balika Bodhu' and the evergreen comedy 'Dadar Kirti'. She also acted in Aparna Sen's maiden directorial venture '36 Chowringhee Lane'.
Her last onscreen outing was Mira Nair's English movie 'The Namesake' released in 2006.
With inputs from IANS.
