Dancer, choreographer Amala Shankar dies at the age of 101

Eminent danseuse and choreographer Amala Shankar breathed her last on Friday morning. She was 101. “She passed away peacefully, in her sleep,” her family informed. Her granddaughter Sreenanda Shankar took to her social media handle and posted, “Today my Thamma left us at the age of 101. We just celebrated her birthday last month.
“Feeling so restless that there is no flight from Mumbai to Kolkata. Heartbroken
May her soul Rest in peace. This is an end of an era. Love you Thamma. Thank you everything.
#AmalaShankar (sic)”
On June 27, the veteran danseuse celebrated her 101st birthday with her family. “For my mother, any dance composition needs to have a story to tell and a message to give,” said Mamata Shankar on composing a choreography on her mother’s birthday, adding, “We celebrate a birthday with dhan dubbo, alpona, payesh, panch-phuler jol— five flower-infused water. When I was young, I saw my mother doing everything single-handedly. As I grew up I took over and now the next generation is following the tradition.”
Amala Shankar, along with her husband, the late Uday Shankar, was instrmental in taking Indian dance forms to the world, while modernising it with elaborate choreography and costumes. She was also part of Uday Shankar's iconic film, Kalpana that holds a special place in the annals of Indian film history.