Hansa wadkar autobiography range
Hansa Wadkar's (1923-1971) autobiography is aptly titled 'Sangtye Aika' (1970), which loosely translates to “listen to what is being said”....
Hansa Wadkar – a woman ahead of her time
Few remember that this is the centenary year of one of Indian cinema’s proto-feminist stars.
Born in Bombay on 24th January 1923 and originally named Ratan, Hansa Wadkar’s life followed a radical path.
"Bhumika (1977)," directed by Shyam Benegal, was based on Hansa Wadkar's autobiography, with actress Smita Patil portraying Wadkar.While her mother, Saraswati, was the daughter of a devdasi, her father, Bhalchandra Salgaokar was the son of a kalavantin, a courtesan noted for her musical talents and expertise. Her great grandmother, whom the extended family addressed as “Jiji”, was an affluent woman.
After her death and the division of property, the family moved to Sawantwadi. But they soon had to return to Bombay as they became impoverished by Salgaokar’s alcoholism.
Her autobiography, Sangoe Ai ka, published in 1970 and translated into English here for the first time, created a sensation for its frankness and boldness.
Two of Ratan’s older sisters stepped into films to support the family. She was sent to a Marathi medium school to begin with followed by two years in an English medium school but her education was cut short because the family believed her younger brother, the only son, deserved schooling more.
Rat