Eminent theatre artist Swatilekha Sengupta breathed her last on June 16. She was undergoing medical treatment at a private hospital for kidney-related issues.
Hailed as one of the most iconic Bengali theatre personalities, she passed away at the age of 71.
The news devastated the theatre industry and sparked an outpouring of tributes from film, television and theatre figures.
"My mom was a great human being and artist. Her work will be remembered. She was a brilliant student and a gold medalist. She helped a lot of people too," said Swatilekha’s only daughter and acclaimed actor Sohini.
Actor Shankar Chakraborty said, "I still can't believe it. It is a huge loss for all of us."
Swatilekha and her husband Rudraprasad Sengupta are considered the stalwarts of Bengali thetare. The veteran actress starred in Satyajit Ray’s ‘Ghare Baire’, Nandita Roy-Shiboprasad Mukherjee directed ‘Bela Seshe’ and ‘Belashuru’, Raj Chakraborty’s ‘Dharmajuddha’ and others.
She received the Paschim Banga Natya Akademi and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for her outstanding contribution to the Indian theatre.
