Noted singer, actor, Ruma Guha Thakurata passes away

Bangla Hunt,Pallab Ghosh: Noted Rabindrasangeet exponent, actor and founder of Calcutta Youth Choir Ruma Guha Thakurata passed away after prolonged illness in Kolkata. She was 84.
First wife of legendary singer, actor Kishore Kumar, Ruma Guha Thakurta the mother of playback singer Amit Kumar. After her divorce with Kishore Kumar, she married Arup Guha Thakurta, with whom she has daughter Sromona Guha Thakurta, also a singer.

Apart from being a Rabindrasangeet exponent Ruma Guha Thakurta founded the Calcutta Youth Choir in 1958.

Ruma is the niece of Great Master Satyajit Ray and starred in two of his classics – ‘Abhijan’ (1962) and ‘Ganashatru’ (1989). Satyajit Ray had also recorded the Rabindrasangeet “bajlo kahar bina” sung by her daughter Sromona in his last film ‘Agantuk’ (1991).

She began her career as an actress in 1944 with Amiya Chakrvarty’s Jwar Bhata. Subsiquently acted in films like Lukochoori, 80 te aashionaa, Personal Assistant, Nirjan Saikate, Antony Firingee, Dadar Kirti, 36 Chowringhee Lane, Agun and Asha O Bhalobasha. She also featured in movies such as Wheel Chair,Indrajit and Sangharsha.

She also rendered her voice as playback singer, in movies – ‘Lukochuri’ (1958), Tin Konya’ (1970), ‘Bakso Badal’ and ‘Mera Dharam Meri Maa’ (1976).

Ruma Guha Thakurata also acted in Mira Nair’s critically acclaimed film ‘The Namesake’.

Her mortal remains will be kept at her Ballygunge Place residence and will be condigned to flames at the Keoratola Crematorium after her son Amit Kumar reaches Kolkata.