Who is Madhu Kambikar? Veteran Marathi actress dies at 73 after pro-longed illness

Veteran Marathi actress Madhu Kambikar passed away on Monday, October 12, at the age of 73 after a prolonged illness. According to News18 Marathi reports, she breathed her last in Pune. Known for her work in Marathi films, theatre and traditional folk performances, the actress built a career spanning more than four decades and became a recognised name in the state's entertainment industry.

With her death, we have lost an artiste who brought acting and traditional Maharashtrian dance together on stage and screen. Kambikar acted in over 75 movies in her career and was awarded many times for her contribution to Marathi cinema. She was also well-liked for her Lavani performances, which helped her establish a unique identity as a performer.

Madhu Kambikar dies at 73 and health struggles

According to News18 Marathi, Kambikar suffered a stroke in 2016 while performing Lavani at Yashwant Natya Mandir in Mumbai. Following the incident, she was taken to the makeup room and later found to have paralysis affecting one side of her body.

The stroke significantly affected her health. News18 Marathi reported that the actress remained bedridden for several years and received treatment at home. Her condition reportedly fluctuated over time.

Who was Madhu Kambikar?

Born on July 28, 1953, Madhu Kambikar was an actress, theatre artiste, folk performer and television personality from Maharashtra. She rose to prominence in Marathi entertainment, particularly during the 1980s, and continued to be associated with films and traditional performance over the years.

Kambikar was noted for her natural acting style and strong screen presence. Her acting skills in playing diverse characters helped her to build a diverse body of work in Marathi cinema. In addition to acting, she continued to be closely associated with Lavani, a traditional Maharashtrian folk form that combines music, dance and expressive storytelling.

Her performances brought together her skills as an actor and dancer. Through her work on stage and in films, she contributed to keeping the traditional art form visible among audiences beyond live folk performances.

One of her notable film appearances was in filmmaker Jabbar Patel's Ek Hota Vidushak. Kambikar played the mother of Laxmikant Berde's character in the film, which also featured her performing Lavani. Her role remains among the recognised appearances in her filmography.

She also worked with popular Marathi filmmaker and actor Dada Kondke in films such as Yeu Ka Gharat and Mala Gheun Chala. These collaborations added to her contribution to Marathi-language cinema.

Lavani Performances and Awards of Madhu Kambikar

While Madhu Kambikar rose to fame as a film and theater actor, Lavani work remained an important part of her identity. It is a traditional form of performance, characterized by vigorous movements, rhythmic music and expressiveness. Kambikar's stage performances helped strengthen her reputation as a skilled folk artiste.

Some of her well-known performances include Bharla Abhaal Paasvi Pahuuna Gan Bai and Kutan Tumi Gela Hota Sanga Karbhari. These works remain associated with her legacy as a performer who moved between cinema and traditional Maharashtrian art.

Over the course of her career, Kambikar received several honours for her work. These included a Filmfare Marathi Award and six Maharashtra State Film Awards, recognising her contribution to the regional entertainment industry.

In 2018, she was honoured with the Zee Chitra Gaurav Award. As she was unable to attend the ceremony, her daughter-in-law, Sheetal Jadhav, accepted the award on her behalf.

Her long career also connected her with audiences who appreciated Marathi cinema as well as Maharashtra's traditional performing arts.