Odissi dancer Dipali Chakraborty passes away; Sudipta, Bidipta, Bidisha mourn mother

The Tollywood community is mourning the passing of dancer and teacher Dipali Chakraborty, mother of Sudipta Chakraborty, Bidipta Chakraborty, and Bidisha Chakraborty. She passed away on Thursday, April 2, after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Dipali Chakraborty was admitted to a private hospital in South Kolkata, but despite medical efforts, she died the same morning, marking a significant loss for her family and the arts community.

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Family reaction

Sudipta Chakraborty shared a photograph of her mother on social media with a single word, “Ma,” drawing responses from fans and colleagues. Her mother’s passing comes shortly after the death of Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, adding to the family’s grief.

Life and legacy

Dipali Chakraborty was married to the late Biplabketan Chakraborty, a respected figure in Tollywood theatre. A trained Odissi dancer and teacher, she contributed significantly to the performing arts and mentored many students over the years.

Following her husband’s death in 2018, she remained a central figure in her family, guiding her daughters in both their personal and professional lives.

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Industry and family in grief

Sudipta, Bidipta, and Bidisha Chakraborty have lost both a parent and a mentor. According to a Hindustan Times report, Sudipta had earlier spoken about the loss of Rahul Banerjee, saying, “I don't know whether this constitutes a loss for the industry—perhaps it does—but for me, it is a massive loss.”

Dipali Chakraborty’s contribution to dance and the performing arts continues through her students and her daughters, who have established themselves in theatre and cinema.