Mexican actress best known for 'La India Maria' dies

Maria Elena Velasco, QEPD. The comedian's "la India María" was one of the most brilliant characters in Mexican film creating the classic "country bumpkin": the innocent rural "Indian" who outwits and triumphs over the elites 

It seems God needs some comedy in Heaven. First Robin Williams, then Mexican comedian Roberto Gómez Bolaños and now another popular Mexican comedian commonly known among Hispanics as "La India Maria."

Velasco's "La India Maria," which exaggerated stereotypes about Mexico's indigenous people, became one of the most recognizable characters in Mexican film, dressed in colorful blouses and full skirts with her hair in braids.

The actress' most successful performance came when she played "La India María," a comedic interpretation of Mexican indigenous women, for a Mexican TV series in 1972. According to IMDb, the character grew so popular it 

Maria Elena Velasco, QEPD. The comedian's "la India María" was one of the most brilliant characters in Mexican film creating the classic "country bumpkin": the innocent rural "Indian" who outwits and triumphs over the elites