January 18, 2011 (Sampurn Wire): Bengali entertainment industry has lost two important artists on Monday. Actress Gita Dey took her last breath at a private hospital in Kolkata at the age of 79 years. As per the hospital sources, she passed away at 12:10 am after staying here for last one-and-a-half month. She was brought to the hospital after a cardiac arrest.

She was a renowned actress of her time with noted films like Ritwik Ghataks Meghe Dhaka Tara, Satyajit Rays Teen Kanya, and Komal Gandhar in her kitty. She has also acted in the films like Pareenita, Abhaya o Srikanta, Chirodiner, Prothom Pratisruti, Manjari OperaDey, Phuleswari, Kabi and Byapika Biday. She has around 200 Bengali films and dramas to her credit, which reflects her versatility in acting.

The veteran actress started her acting career only at the age of six in the film Ahuti, which was directed by notable filmmaker Dhiren Ganguly. At the age of 13, she joined the renowned Star Theater and made her association with a well known artist called Sisir Bhaduri.

She received lots of critical acclaims for her performance in Meghe Dhaka Tara. Apart from being cast in the negative roles, Dey has also shown her acting talent in various roles.

On the same day morning at 5:15 am, another Bengali singer Pintu Bhattacharya also died at the Thakurpukur Cancer Hospital in Kolkata. He was 71 years old and had a very melodious and intense voice. He was a very popular Bengali modern singer during the seventies and eighties. He has worked with music directors like Salil Chowdhury and his contribution to the Bengali music is immense. 'Ek Tajmahal Goro Hridoy Tomar', 'Aami Cholte Cholte Theme Gechi', 'Jani Prithibi Jabe Amay Bhule', 'Mayur Pankhi Chore' are some of his hit music which increased his fan following.

--Sampurn Wire