Usha Ganguly no more

Noted theatre personality Usha Ganguly, who gave a new diction to Bangla theatre in Kolkata, died at her residence in South Kolkata yesterday at the age of 75.

Ganguly was found motionless at her flat in Lake Gardens area of the city by her maid around 7am, her family said.

A doctor was called in who declared that she died of a massive cardiac arrest, they said.

Winner of Indian government's prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy Award, Ganguly is survived by a son but lived alone in her flat. Her husband Kamalendu died several years ago. Her brother died three days earlier.

She founded the "Rangakarmee" theatre group in 1976 which is known for non-conformist productions like "Mahabhoj", "Rudali", "Court Martial" and "Antaryatra" under her direction.

Born in Kanpur, Ganguly, who is credited with introducing a new form of alternative Hindi theatre in Bengal, once said, "Theatre is my only life and passion and Rangkarmee is my family," her friends recalled.

"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 late 1970s and 80s.

Usha Ganguly also worked with Rituparno Ghosh during the scripting for the latter's film "Raincoat" starring Ajay Devgn.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled Ganguly's death and paid tributes to her contributions to theatre.

The West Bengal government conferred Ganguly with the Girish Samman honour in 2016. She has also been honoured by the state government with the award of best actress for the play "Gudia Ghar."

"My deep condolences to her family and friends and followers," the chief minister said in a statement.