Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar

Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar (July 1935 – 15 January 2002) was an Indian dancer, singer and Tamasha artist.

Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar
BornJuly 1935
Pandharpur, India
Died15 January 2002(2002-01-15) (aged 66)
Maharashtra, India
NationalityIndian
OccupationPerforming artist

Early life and career

Vithabai was born and grew up in a family of artists. She was born in the city of Pandharpur, Solapur district, Maharashtra. Bhau-Bapu Mang Narayangaonkar was the family troupe run by her father and uncle. Her grandfather Narayan Khude set up the troupe. He was from Kavathe Yamai, in Shirur taluka of Pune district.[1] Since childhood, she was exposed to the various forms of songs like Lavanya, Gavlan, Bhedik, etc. As a student she did not fare very well in school, although she performed with effortless beauty on stage, right from a very young age without any formal training.[2]

One of the notable events of her life was the period when her child was born. She was 9 months pregnant while she had been performing for her audience. It was during the performance, that she got to know that she was about to deliver. Being a sound, patient & a brave woman, she went backstage and delivered the baby, cut the umbilical cord with a stone and got ready to join the performance. The audience was surprised to see her with the absence of the baby bump. Upon enquiring and learning about her courageous act and dedication, the show was stopped. The audience praised her for her determination to complete the show, but respectfully asked her to rest.

She received medals from the President of India in 1957 and 1990 for her art.[3] It is written that despite her fame and the honours she earned she is said to have been in financial distress and was uncared for.[4] Her hospital bills after her death were met by contribution from donors.[5]

Awards and recognition

She achieved high appreciation and thereby her troupe was honoured with the most prestigious President's award in the Tamasha genre of art. She was called "Tamasha Samradini" (Tamasha Empress) by her fans and also honoured so by the government.[5][6]

Government of Maharashtra has instituted annual "Vithabai Narayangavkar Lifetime Achievement Award" in her memory in 2006. The award is conferred on those who had extensively contributed to the preservation and propagation of the Tamasha Art. The award is being conferred since 2006 and noted recipients of the awards are Smt. Kantabai Satarkar, Vasant Avsarikar, Smt Sulochana Nalawade, Haribhau Badhe, Smt Mangala Bansode (daughter of Vithabai), Sadhu Patsute, Ankush Khade, Prabha Shivanekar, Bhima Sangavikar, Gangaram Kavathekar, Smt Radhabai Khode Nashikkar, Madhukar Nerale. Lokshahir Bashir Momin Kavathekar[7] has been conferred with this award for year 2018-19, for his lifelong contribution to the folk art, Lavani and to the field of Tamasha.[8]

Ms Gulab Sangamnerkar has been conferred with this award for year 2019-20 for her contribution to the Lavani and to the field of Tamasha.[9]

References
  1. Abp Majha (8 September 2016), माझा कट्टा: लावणी सम्राज्ञी मंगला बनसोडे, retrieved 18 December 2016
  2. Lakshmi, C.S. (3 February 2002). "Life and times of a kalakaar". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  3. "Bowing out - Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  4. Bendix, Regina F.; Hasan-Rokem, Galit (12 March 2012). A Companion to Folklore. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9781444354386.
  5. "Lavani Legend Vithabai is no more". The Times of India. Pune, India. Times News Network. 17 July 2002. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  6. "लाज धरा पाव्हणं..." marathibhaskar. 3 March 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  7. बी. के. मोमीन कवठेकर यांना विठाबाई नारायणगावकर पुरस्कार जाहीर “Sakal, a leading Marathi Daily”, 2-Jan-2019
  8. तमाशासम्रादणी विठाबाई नारायणगावकर जीवनगौरव पुरस्कार बशीर कमरूद्दीन मोमीन यांना घोषित "लोकमत, a leading Marathi language Daily", 2-Jan-2019
  9. ज्येष्ठ लोककलावंत गुलाबबाई संगमनेरकर यांना विठाबाई नारायणगावकर जीवनगौरव पुरस्कार जाहीर “Sakal, a leading Marathi Daily”, 24-Jun-2020
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