.jpg)
Veteran Dancer-Actress Madhu Kambikar Passes Away; A Major Loss for Lavani and Theatre
Pune: Veteran dancer and actress Madhu Kambikar (aged 73), who left a distinct mark on the fields of folk art, theatre, and cinema, passed away in Pune on Monday (October 12) following a prolonged illness. She had been bedridden since suffering a stroke in 2016. She breathed her last at her residence in Yerwada. Her demise has cast a pall of gloom over the film industry as well as the worlds of Lavani and theatre. She is survived by her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.
Madhu Kambikar’s mortal remains were kept at her residence in Shastrinagar, Yerwada, for public viewing. Subsequently, the last rites were performed at the crematorium in the evening. Dignitaries from various fields, including Vitthal Wagh, MASAP Treasurer Pradeep Nifadkar, Suresh Vairalkar, and Shahir Dada Pasalkar, were present on the occasion.
In 2016, while performing a dance at an event related to Marathi theatre, Madhu Kambikar suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed. She subsequently underwent brain surgery; however, her health did not show the expected improvement. She had been battling serious health issues for several years.
Madhu Kambikar was born on July 28, 1953, at Malegaon in the Georai taluka of Beed district. Her birth name was Madhu Vaman Jadhav. As her father was an artist, the seeds of art were sown in her from childhood. Since she was not particularly inclined towards formal education, she began her career performing in *Tamasha* troupes. From the age of 13 or 14, she trained in the art of *Tamasha* under the guidance of Pandurang Ghotikar and the 'Lavani Samrajni' (Queen of Lavani) Lakshmibai Kolhapurkar.
She gained significant recognition through the film *Shapit*, directed by Rajdutt. Subsequently, she left a lasting impression with her performances in numerous films such as *Raghu Maina*, *Hech Majha Maher*, *Ek Hota Vidushak*, *Raosaheb*, *Zapatlela*, *Zapatlela 2*, *Stree Janma Hi Tuzi Kahani*, *Mala Gheun Chala*, *Yeu Ka Gharat*, *Binkamacha Navra*, *Dhondi Dhondi Pani De*, *Debu*, *Sant Gadge Maharaj*, *Sangharsh Jeevanacha*, and *Abhran*. Her roles in *Ek Hota Vidushak*, the character of Lakshya’s mother in *Zapatlela*, and the role of Sant Gadge Maharaj’s mother in the film *Debu* were particularly memorable for audiences.
In addition to Marathi cinema, she also worked in the Hindi film industry, appearing in movies like *Hum Dono*, *Saatwan Aasman*, *Apnapan*, *Yashwant*, and *Shola Aur Shabnam*. Her performance in the Gujarati film *Saad* also garnered praise. On the theatre stage, she acted in plays such as *Putrakameshti*, *Paying Guest*, *Chandra Jithe Ugavat Nahi*, *Akash Peltana*, *Sur Rahu De*, *Lavani Bhulli Abhangala*, *Aamdar Saubhagyavati*, *Phulvanti*, and *Sakhi Majhi Lavani*. She was also associated with the folk theatre productions of Dadu Indurikar. She connected with audiences through television serials as well, appearing in shows like *Holi Re Holi*, *Sarja Raja*, *Vaibhav*, *Shravandhara*, and *Mukti*. Madhu Kambikar received the Maharashtra State Award for Best Actress for *Hech Majha Maher* in 1985 and for *Raosaheb* in 1996. She also received an award from the Gujarat State Government.
Pune: Veteran dancer and actress Madhu Kambikar (aged 73), who left a distinct mark on the fields of folk art, theatre, and cinema, passed away in Pune on Monday (October 12) following a prolonged illness. She had been bedridden since suffering a stroke in 2016. She breathed her last at her residence in Yerwada. Her demise has cast a pall of gloom over the film industry as well as the worlds of Lavani and theatre. She is survived by her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.
Madhu Kambikar’s mortal remains were kept at her residence in Shastrinagar, Yerwada, for public viewing. Subsequently, the last rites were performed at the crematorium in the evening. Dignitaries from various fields, including Vitthal Wagh, MASAP Treasurer Pradeep Nifadkar, Suresh Vairalkar, and Shahir Dada Pasalkar, were present on the occasion.
In 2016, while performing a dance at an event related to Marathi theatre, Madhu Kambikar suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed. She subsequently underwent brain surgery; however, her health did not show the expected improvement. She had been battling serious health issues for several years.
Madhu Kambikar was born on July 28, 1953, at Malegaon in the Georai taluka of Beed district. Her birth name was Madhu Vaman Jadhav. As her father was an artist, the seeds of art were sown in her from childhood. Since she was not particularly inclined towards formal education, she began her career performing in *Tamasha* troupes. From the age of 13 or 14, she trained in the art of *Tamasha* under the guidance of Pandurang Ghotikar and the 'Lavani Samrajni' (Queen of Lavani) Lakshmibai Kolhapurkar.
She gained significant recognition through the film *Shapit*, directed by Rajdutt. Subsequently, she left a lasting impression with her performances in numerous films such as *Raghu Maina*, *Hech Majha Maher*, *Ek Hota Vidushak*, *Raosaheb*, *Zapatlela*, *Zapatlela 2*, *Stree Janma Hi Tuzi Kahani*, *Mala Gheun Chala*, *Yeu Ka Gharat*, *Binkamacha Navra*, *Dhondi Dhondi Pani De*, *Debu*, *Sant Gadge Maharaj*, *Sangharsh Jeevanacha*, and *Abhran*. Her roles in *Ek Hota Vidushak*, the character of Lakshya’s mother in *Zapatlela*, and the role of Sant Gadge Maharaj’s mother in the film *Debu* were particularly memorable for audiences.
In addition to Marathi cinema, she also worked in the Hindi film industry, appearing in movies like *Hum Dono*, *Saatwan Aasman*, *Apnapan*, *Yashwant*, and *Shola Aur Shabnam*. Her performance in the Gujarati film *Saad* also garnered praise. On the theatre stage, she acted in plays such as *Putrakameshti*, *Paying Guest*, *Chandra Jithe Ugavat Nahi*, *Akash Peltana*, *Sur Rahu De*, *Lavani Bhulli Abhangala*, *Aamdar Saubhagyavati*, *Phulvanti*, and *Sakhi Majhi Lavani*. She was also associated with the folk theatre productions of Dadu Indurikar. She connected with audiences through television serials as well, appearing in shows like *Holi Re Holi*, *Sarja Raja*, *Vaibhav*, *Shravandhara*, and *Mukti*. Madhu Kambikar received the Maharashtra State Award for Best Actress for *Hech Majha Maher* in 1985 and for *Raosaheb* in 1996. She also received an award from the Gujarat State Government.
Madhu Kambikar’s mortal remains were kept at her residence in Shastrinagar, Yerwada, for public viewing. Subsequently, the last rites were performed at the crematorium in the evening. Dignitaries from various fields, including Vitthal Wagh, MASAP Treasurer Pradeep Nifadkar, Suresh Vairalkar, and Shahir Dada Pasalkar, were present on the occasion.
In 2016, while performing a dance at an event related to Marathi theatre, Madhu Kambikar suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed. She subsequently underwent brain surgery; however, her health did not show the expected improvement. She had been battling serious health issues for several years.
Madhu Kambikar was born on July 28, 1953, at Malegaon in the Georai taluka of Beed district. Her birth name was Madhu Vaman Jadhav. As her father was an artist, the seeds of art were sown in her from childhood. Since she was not particularly inclined towards formal education, she began her career performing in *Tamasha* troupes. From the age of 13 or 14, she trained in the art of *Tamasha* under the guidance of Pandurang Ghotikar and the 'Lavani Samrajni' (Queen of Lavani) Lakshmibai Kolhapurkar.
She gained significant recognition through the film *Shapit*, directed by Rajdutt. Subsequently, she left a lasting impression with her performances in numerous films such as *Raghu Maina*, *Hech Majha Maher*, *Ek Hota Vidushak*, *Raosaheb*, *Zapatlela*, *Zapatlela 2*, *Stree Janma Hi Tuzi Kahani*, *Mala Gheun Chala*, *Yeu Ka Gharat*, *Binkamacha Navra*, *Dhondi Dhondi Pani De*, *Debu*, *Sant Gadge Maharaj*, *Sangharsh Jeevanacha*, and *Abhran*. Her roles in *Ek Hota Vidushak*, the character of Lakshya’s mother in *Zapatlela*, and the role of Sant Gadge Maharaj’s mother in the film *Debu* were particularly memorable for audiences.
In addition to Marathi cinema, she also worked in the Hindi film industry, appearing in movies like *Hum Dono*, *Saatwan Aasman*, *Apnapan*, *Yashwant*, and *Shola Aur Shabnam*. Her performance in the Gujarati film *Saad* also garnered praise. On the theatre stage, she acted in plays such as *Putrakameshti*, *Paying Guest*, *Chandra Jithe Ugavat Nahi*, *Akash Peltana*, *Sur Rahu De*, *Lavani Bhulli Abhangala*, *Aamdar Saubhagyavati*, *Phulvanti*, and *Sakhi Majhi Lavani*. She was also associated with the folk theatre productions of Dadu Indurikar. She connected with audiences through television serials as well, appearing in shows like *Holi Re Holi*, *Sarja Raja*, *Vaibhav*, *Shravandhara*, and *Mukti*. Madhu Kambikar received the Maharashtra State Award for Best Actress for *Hech Majha Maher* in 1985 and for *Raosaheb* in 1996. She also received an award from the Gujarat State Government.
