Dancing legend Sitara Devi dies
Indian dancing legend Sitara Devi has died in the western city of Mumbai, aged 94.
Devi, who was suffering from a kidney ailment, had been admitted to a hospital where she underwent surgery earlier this month. She died early today, her family said.
Sitara Devi was an exponent of the classical Indian dance form Kathak.
Kathak is often seen in Bollywood movies, and this has made it accessible for the younger generation.
Sitara Devi was born in the eastern city of Calcutta in 1920, and moved to Mumbai (then Bombay) at the age of 11.
Over six decades, she became a leading Kathak dancer and helped bring the dance form to Bollywood.
"Gone into the light #SitaraDevi the best dancer ever and a wonderful lady RIP," tweeted musician Ehsaan Noorani.
The chief minister of Madhya Pradesh state, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, described her as "Nritya Samragini [the dancing queen]".
My condolences to the family of 'Nritya Samragini' Sitara Devi, may her soul rest in peace. India loses a legendary danseuse.
— ShivrajSingh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) November 25, 2014
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