Veteran actress and dancer Madhumati dies at 87

Veteran actress and dancer Madhumati, known for her performances in films such as Ankhen, Tower House, Shikari, and Mujhe Jeene Do, passed away at the age of 87.

A trained classical dancer, Madhumati was a popular name on the screen through the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. She was often compared to

Helen for her expressive performances and striking dance numbers that combined traditional forms with a cinematic flair.

Born in 1938 in Maharashtra, Madhumati trained in Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Manipuri, and Kathakali. She began her film career in 1957 with an unreleased Marathi film and went on to appear in several Hindi and regional language films over the next few decades.

At the age of 19, she married Deepak Manohar, a dancer, with whom she shared a long association through their shared love for the performing arts. After his death, she continued to work in the field of dance and later founded the Madhumati Dance Academy in Mumbai, where she trained aspiring artists.

Following her demise, tributes poured in from across the film industry. Akshay Kumar, who had trained under Madhumati early in his career, shared a throwback picture with her on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote, "My first and forever guru. Everything I know about dance, I learnt at your feet, Madhumati ji. Har ada, har expression mein aapki yaad hamesha saath rahegi. Om Shanti." Actor Vindu Dara Singh also paid tribute, calling her a "teacher and guide" who had touched the lives of many with her dedication and warmth.

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