Noted Marathi actress Jayshree Gadkar passed away this morning following a brief illness. She was 66, and is survived by her actor husband Bal Dhuri and son.

Gadkar, who was bed-ridden, breathed her last at around 3 am, family sources said. The funeral will take place at Chandanwadi crematorium in Mumbai this afternoon, they added.

Gadkar made her debut in Marathi cinema in 1955, as a group dancer in V Shantaram's Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje, with leading lady Sandhya. With her talent, dancing skills and beauty, there was no looking back for Gadkar as she ruled the Marathi film industry in the 1960s.

Aaliya Bhogasi, Ghat Padli Thaka Thaka, Sangtye Aika, Avghachi Sansar, Mohityanchi Manjula, Saadhi Mansa and Manini are some of her celebrated movies.

She has also won National Awards for her films Manini, Vaijantha, Sawal Mazha Aika' and Saadhi Mansa.

She turned to direction with Saasar Maher and Ashi Asavi Saasu.

Her autobiography Ashi Mi Jayshri was released some years ago. Her memorable role on television was of Kaushalya, Lord Ram's mother in Ramanand Sagar's tele epic Ramayana [Images] in the 1980s.