Yesteryear actress Madhumati, popular for her dance numbers in the 60s movies, passed away at the age of 87.
Often compared to the dancing queen Helen, the actress made her debut as a dancer in a 1957 unreleased Marathi movie.
Born in 1938 in a Parsi family in a village of Maharashtra, Madhumati’s real name was Hutoxi Reporter. The actress started learning classical dance forms from Kathak, Manipuri, to Kathakali, from the age of 7. She opened her dance academy at the age of 15, even before she ventured into movies.
From Hutoxi to Madhumati
Her talent was spotted by producer Dhirubahi Desai who offered her the 1958 film Raja Harishchandra. While the actress’s father was initially skeptical, he agreed after much convincing. Hutoxi changed her name to Madhumati for Zameen Ke Taare where she played the role of Daisy Irani’s stepmother and from then onwards she was known by her screen name.
Madhumati got married at a young age of 19 to Manohar Deepak. She starred in several Punjabi, Marathi, Hindi, Bhojpuri and South Indian movies.
Her notable dance numbers included Uthegi Tumhari Nazar Dheere Dheere from the film Ek Raaz, Maangi Hai Duaaen Hamane Sanam from Shikari, Bane To Ban Jaae Zamana Dushman, Main Teraa Hun Dulhaa from the film Dulha Dulhan among many others.
Social media tributes
After the news of her demise broke, Akshay Kumar took to social media to pay tribute to his ‘first and forever guru’.
“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 🙏,” he wrote on X.
Actor and reality TV star Vindu Dara Singh also shared a heartfelt message on X.
“Rest in peace our teacher and guide #Madhumati ji. A beautiful life led filled with love and blessings from so many of us who learnt dancing from this legend 🙏🏻,” he wrote.