JAMMU: Amateur Theatre Group has condoled the das and untimely demise of Usha Ganguly , an Indian theatre director-actor and activist. Born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, in a family from village Nerva in Uttar Pradesh, Usha Ganguly learnt Bharatanatyam dance and later moved to Kolkata, where she studied at Shri Shikshayatan College, Kolkata and did her master's degree in Hindi literature.
Her demise has left a great void on the Hindi cultural front in which she worked as a thespian and produced many memorable works. Known for her work in Hindi theatre in Kolkata in the 1970s and 1980s, she founded Rangakarmee theatre group in 1976, known for its productions like Mahabhoj, Rudali, Court Martial, and Antaryatra. Apart from thespian Shyamanand Jalan of Padatik (established 1972), she was the only other theatre director to practise Hindi theatre in Kolkata, which is largely Bengali speaking.
Remembering his association with Usha Ganguly , Mushtaq Kak said he had the honour to work with Ganguly in earlier stages and had found a great artist and human being in her. “Her loss is not only personnel, but for the entire nation as a whole,” said Mushtaq.
Sapna Soni , a versatile actress of the state mourning the death of Usha Ganguly said that she was inspired by many of her works as she had a great command and respect for Hindi literature and drama. Sandeep Rattan Verma, Mohit Mehra, Ifra Kak, Aditya Bhanu,Rohit Bhat,Manzoor Mir, Bindia and many other theatre doers of UT joined Amateur Theatre Group in paying last homage to the departed soul.