Dancer Chandralekha succumbs to cancer

CHENNAI, India, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Famed innovative dancer Chandralekha has died in her native India at the age of 78 after a long battle with cancer.

The Press Trust of India said that Chandralekha, whose experimental dance forms helped earn her international popularity, died Saturday in Chennai, India.

An exponent of the classical Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam, Chandralekha had enjoyed a successful career that included receiving a Sangeet Natak Academy Fellowship and India's annual Kalidas Samman award.

She also presented her innovative dance style by choreographing and dancing in productions such as "Raga: In Search of Femininity" and "Mahakaal."

Chandralekha's death came after she was discharged from an area hospital early last week, the report said.