Pather Panchali Child Actress Uma Dasgupta Dies At 84 After Cancer Battle, Satyajit Ray's Son Reacts

Uma Dasgupta, who immortalised role of 'Durga' in Satyajit Ray's iconic film 'Par Panchali' died at a private hospital in Kolkata on Monday, family sources said.

84-year-old actor, who h been suffering from cancer for a long time, is survived by her daughter, y said.

Having been cast in role of Durga in Par Panchali, apted from eponymous novel of writer Bibhutibhusan Bandyophyay, at age of 14, Dasgupta won hearts of audiences worldwide for portrayal of character immortalising certain scenes like drenched in rains and picking up mangoes at an orchard after a nor'wester with her little bror Apu.

Dasgupta was noticed by Ray during her stage performance as a child artist in a school function and director got in touch with her school and family.

Despite worldwide acclaim and applause for her role in 'Par Panchali', she retreated into her private space and was never seen in any or film later on.

She was a teacher by profession.

Contacted, maestro's director son Sandip Ray told PTI, "I was told by far how instinctive and natural she was before camera and gave perfect shot in a single take.

"Whatever far used to tell her during rehearsal and briefing before a shot, she was so intelligent, it did not need furr prodding or prompting as camera rolled. And far would tell us later on that Uma took to character like a fish in water.

Being a little child in 1954-55, Sandip Ray did not have personal memory about how Uma Dasgupta fared on shooting floor and in outdoors, but later on, y met occasionally at functions and events.

"We h last met at a function related to Par Panchali. That was long back. Don't know why she did not act in any more films," he ded.