Bhanumati Devi oriya actress cremated

Veteran film and theatre actor Bhanumati Devi was cremated at Puri Swargadwar on Saturday. She died in Puri on Friday. She was 88. She is survived by her daughter Swarnalata.

Born in Myanmar, she came to Puri and started acting on stage before joining Odia cinema in 1954. She was an integral part of Annapurna Theatre, Cuttack, for about four decades. She played lead roles in a dozen films.

The ace actor of 60’s, who acted in Mrinal Sen’s National Award winning Odia film ‘Matira Manisha’, was vibrant throughout her career in films and theatre. Bhanumati bagged the National Award in 1966 for her role in “Matira Manisha”, a film based on social cause. She was also honoured with Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1984 and Jaydev Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2005. She last appeared on the big screen in 1986 in Odia film ‘Jaydeb’ which also went on to be a super hit.

As news of her death broke, many artistes paid their tributes to the yesteryear’s versatile actress. The 80-year-old legendary actor, Sarat Pujari, who had acted opposite her in Matira Manisha, said Bhanumati was his guru.

Film-maker Prashant Nanda said: “It is sad that we are being asked about the life and impact of a much bigger figure. She was an inspiration for us and the entire Odisha was crazy to see her plays and films. I do not remember of any other female actress of Odisha who could solely captivate the audience for three decades.”