Veteran Marathi actress and Lavani artiste Madhu Kambikar passed away in Pune today at the age of 72 following a prolonged illness. Her last rites were performed in Pune. Kambikar suffered a stroke in 2016 and had been bedridden since then. Trained in Kathak and Lavani, she made significant contributions to Marathi folk theatre and cinema. She acted in several films, including ‘Shapit’, ‘Ek Hota Vidushak’, ‘Zapatlela’ and ‘Yeshwant’.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described her demise as a major loss to Maharashtra’s art and cultural world. He said Kambikar preserved the state’s folk traditions and popularised Lavani through her distinctive performances on the silver screen. He said her versatile acting and contribution to Marathi folk culture will continue to inspire generations of artists. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law.
