Uma Dasgupta – actress behind Pather Panchali’s Durga – passes away

Bengali actress Uma Dasgupta, known for her role as Durga in Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali, passed away.

Uma Dasgupta as Durga in Pather Panchali

Bengali actress Uma Dasgupta, who immortalised the character of Durga in Satyajit Ray’s iconic film Pather Panchali, breathed her last on Monday at 8 am. Actor-cum-politician Chirtanjeet Chakraborty confirmed the news. They live in the same housing complex. The actor said Uma Dasgupta’s daughter confirmed the news to him. 

Chiranjeet said, "I met her daughter in the morning. She told me that Umadi left us. She had cancer a few years back." She initially responded to the treatment. But the cancer relapsed and she was hospitalized. Uma passed away there.  

She achieved worldwide fame by acting in just one film. She portrayed the character of Durga in the 1955 film. Then she was not seen in any other movie. She was a teacher by profession.  

Why was she not seen anymore on the screen? Satyajit Ray’s son Sandip Ray told Anandabazar Online, "I was a kid then and hence have no memory. Umadi was only fourteen then. She never acted anymore, and hence we did not have contact." Sandip regrets that the actress went with all the memories of that time. He doesn't know why Uma did not act.  

Previously, fake news regarding Uma Dasgupta's death was spread more than once. It was also rumored that she stayed in an old age home. Today, Chiranjeet confirms that the news are fake. 

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