Noted Indian Dancer-Choreographer Amala Shankar Dies at 101

Her family said that the renowned Indian dancer and choreographer Amala Shankar died on Friday morning at the age of 101.

Shankar, who had undergone age-related illnesses, died of cardiac arrest in her sleep, according to her family.

Shankar is the wife of famous dancer-choreographer Uday Shankar and sister-in-law of Sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar.

"Today my ''Thamma'' left us at the age of 101. We just celebrated her birthday last month. Feeling so restless that there is no flight from Mumbai to Kolkata. Heartbroken, May her soul Rest in peace," her granddaughter and dancer Sreenanda Shankar wrote on Facebook.

"This is the end of an era. Love you ''Thamma''. Thank you for everything. #AmalaShankar," she added.

Amala Shankar, who was active even in the early 1990s, was awarded the Banga Bibhusan by the West Bengal Government in 2011 for her contribution to the field of the arts.

In a message of condolence, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that her death left an irreparable vacuum in the world of dance.