She put Indian fusion dance on world map

Dancer Amala Shankar passes away at 101

Kolkata: Danseuse Amala Shankar (101), who was married to late legendary dancer-choreographer Uday Shankar, died of cardiac arrest while asleep at her Kolkata residence on Friday morning.

Manpriya Singh

Amala Shankar was five decades ahead of her times. The renowned danseuse took to stage in an era when girls were not even allowed on the streets. The artiste brought international acclaim to Indian fusion dance form that millions were not even introduced to. On Friday, the dance fraternity was left with a void with the danseuse’s demise at the age of 101 in Kolkata. Granddaughter Sreenanda Shankar’s tweet echoed with many when she said, “Today my thamma left us… this is an end of an era.”

Born Amala Nandy in 1919 in Jessore, Bangladesh, she had a bent towards arts and music from a very early age. However, it was only with the encouragement from her father that she was able to be a path-breaker and pursue dance further. Sajal Koser, Secretary, Pracheen Kala Kendra, says, “Amala Shankar was not just instrumental in popularising Indian fusion dance but also in bringing alive several social issues on stage.”

It was in 1931 at the age of 12 when Amala met Uday Shankar in Paris. Little she must have known then that it was his dance institute she was soon going to attend in Almora and one day become his partner for life. On June 27, the family of the danseuse celebrated her birthday with an exhibition of her rare photographs that highlighted her painting talent. The exhibition gave an insight into her paintings which were made using fingers instead of brushes.

Senior Kathak exponent Dr Shobha Koser recalls meeting Amala only two years ago, “It was her daughter Mamata Shankar’s performance in Kolkata and I had the honour of sitting right next to her. Though she didn’t speak, she greeted and articulated through her gestures. Pretty much like her performances.”