Madhu Kambikar

Madhu Kambikar Biography

Madhu Kambikar is a well-experienced and veteran performing folk art artist from the state of Maharashtra, best known for her lavani performances. She also appears in movies, stage plays and television shows. She has acted in more than a 100 Marathi films. She acted in about a dozen folk plays, and is regarded as a veteran artist belonging to this field. She also appeared in more than two dozens of contemporary plays. Her noted films include Jaganmata Shri Mahalaxmi, Mi Amruta Boltey and Pisara. She was most recently honoured with Zee Chitra Gaurav Life Time Achievement Award in 2018. Deceased Marathi writer and social worker Kishor Shantabai Kale was her nephew. In 2016 Madhu collapsed on stage while performing and fell unconscious. Now she is slowly recovering.

Madhu Kambikar hails from Ahmednagar district, the largest district of Maharashtra. She was born in Kambi village. She was born into a family of performing artists, who traditionally follow art tradition and plays. Her father himself was a performing artist and following his footsteps Madhu too reached the same field at a very young age. She got into movies and television industry later. Over the years her acting prowess and lavani dance performances made her household name in Maharashtra. She has been a part of contemporary plays like Tumcha amcha sem asta, Paying guest, Vastraharan, Ajab nyaya vartulacha, Putrakameshti etc.   

In November 2016, she collapsed on stage during a lavani-tamasha performance at Matunga, and her condition was reported to be serious. She has suffered haemorrhagic stroke and it has left the lavani dancer paralysed on one side of the body. Slowly she responded to medicines. After that she is yet to make her stage appearance.

Published: February 26, 2019

Updated: February 26, 2019