Filmmaker Madhura Jasraj, wife of classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj, passes away at 86

Mumbai: Madhura Jasraj, a filmmaker and the widow of famous classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj, died at her home early Wednesday morning at the age of 86. She had been dealing with health issues related to her age. Madhura is survived by her children, Shaarangdev Pandit and Durga Jasraj, as well as four grandchildren, according to family publicist Pritam Sharma.

Her body is being kept at her home in Versova, with a funeral procession planned to begin around 3:30 pm. The last rites will take place at the Oshiwara Crematorium.

Madhura Jasraj was active as a writer, filmmaker, producer, and choreographer. She created the well-known documentary Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj in 2009 as a tribute to her husband. Madhura, whose brother is filmmaker Kiran Shantaram, also authored a biography of her celebrated father, V. Shantaram, along with several novels, contributing significantly to the arts.

Her daughter, Durga Jasraj, remembered her mother’s immense contributions, both in her own career and in preserving the legacies of her father and husband.

In 2010, Madhura directed her first Marathi film, Aai Tujha Aashirwad, making history as the oldest debut director in a feature film, earning a spot in the Limca Book of Records. The film included songs by her late husband, Pandit Jasraj, and the iconic Lata Mangeshkar.

Madhura met Pandit Jasraj in 1962, and they were married shortly after, initially living in Kolkata before settling in Mumbai.

Agency