Kolkata, Jan 17 (PTI): Celebrated actress Gita De, who earned praise and popularity for playing character roles in nearly 200 Bengali films and dramas, died at a city hospital after a long illness. She was 80.

Her family said that a few days ago she was admitted to a hospital where he died late last night.

Acting since she was six, De made her mark in the film 'Ahuti' directed by celebrated film-maker Dhiren Ganguly (popularly known as DG).

Associated with legendary theatre personality Sisir Bhaduri, Gita joined the famous Star theatre when she was only 13.

Ritwik Ghatak's cult film 'Meghe Dahaka Tara' established her as an actor par excellence and earned her fame for her role as a mother who struggled hard to maintain a refugee family.

Her roles in films like 'Kabi', 'Phuleswari' and 'Byapika Biday', won her wide acclaim.

On Monday morning, at 5:15 am, Bengali singer Pintu Bhattacharya also passed away at an age of 71.He was admitted in Thakurpukur Cancer Hospital in Kolkata, his family sources said. Having a melodious and intense voice, Bhattacharya was one of the popular Bengali modern singers in the seventies and eighties.

A pall of gloom descended on the cultural world of Kolkata as the news of their death spread.