Daya Dongre Dies At 85; Maharashtra CM Pays Tribute To Veteran Actress
Times Now
Marathi actress Daya Dongre, known for her stellar career on stage, TV, and film, had died at the age of 85 due to an age-related illness. The veteran, who was born Daya Modak on March 11, 1940, began
working as a teenager and even studied at the National School of Drama (NSD). Even after marriage, she continued acting and gained acclaim with her performances such as Tuzhi Majhi Jodi Jamli Re, Nanda Saukhya Bhare, Yachasathi Kela Hota Atthahas, and Lekure Udand Jali. The Marathi industry and even Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde condoled her death online.
Daya Dongre's early life and career
Born in Amravati, Maharashtra, Daya Dongre grew up in a family of performers. Her mother, Yamunatai Modak, was an actress, and her aunt Shanta Modak was also a singer-actress. Initially, young Daya was drawn to music and even gained fame with an All India Radio singing competition. Daya made her theatre debut at 16 with the play Rambha, and after studying at Pune's Fergusson College, she entered NSD to study theatre. She had to cut short her studies after her marriage, but her husband, Shekhar, did not let her give up acting entirely.
Daya Dongre films and TV shows
The veteran actress became a household name with the Doordarshan show Gajara and was mostly known as the shrewish mother-in-law in Marathi and Hindi features such as Maaybaap, Atmavishwas, Navri Mile Navryala, Khatyal Sasu Nathal Soon, Naqaab, Lalchi, and more. On TV, she acted in serials such as Tujhi Majhi Jamali Jodi Re, Nanda Saukhya Bhare, Awhan, and Swami. Daya Dongre was also recognised by the Government of Maharashtra for her work on Maaybaap and Khatyal Saasu Nathal Soon.
Nitish Bharadwaj, CM Eknath Shinde pay tribute to veteran actress
Actor Nitish Bharadwaj took to social media to mourn the passing of his onscreen mother. He wrote, "Daya Mavshi, my beloved mother in my very 1st feature film passed away. I mourn the absence of my 2nd mother, who always kept in touch to know my welfare. On screen she was irrational & unfair but in person, a gentle soul who made many tasty meals for me standing in the kitchen of her Mahim home. I just had to tell her what i felt like eating & it would be there. The only person who could scold me after my mother passed away. I do understand the philosophy behind death, but loss of mothers leaves an irreplaceable void… today my heart sinks yet again. I mourn her absence with Dongre-Dandekar families & pray that her soul attains SAD-GATI. Love you Mavshi."
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also remembered the veteran actress and her innumerable contributions to Marathi theatre, film and television. In Marathi, he had posted, "Extremely saddened to hear of the demise of veteran actress Daya Dongre, who created an indelible place in Marathi series and film industry with the power of her strong acting. An era of acting and art world in Maharashtra has set. We all share the grief of their families and fans. May God grant eternal peace to his soul. A heartfelt tribute."
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