Contributed By: Dr. Raghunath Boradkar
Shrimati Vijaya
Kulkarni is 81 plus. Lives in Rajendra Nagar Pune. She was initially very
hesitant to write and had questioned ‘What’s there to write?’ But then she felt
why not look back on one’s life and
recollect and re live some of the memories
and share them and she started writing. Interesting!
She was educated in
Karnataka mostly in Gadag and Dharwad but her medium of instruction was Marathi.
She recollects the time from 1942 to 1947 when the freedom struggle was in full
swing. The agenda that was foremost was national integration and the regional
identities were not strong enough. There was no strife between Karnataka and Maharashtra or between Kanadi and Marathi. Marathi
musical dramas of Bal Gandharva were enjoyed by all especially in Hubli and Dharwad.
There were no language issues she says. Her father was a socialist and her
uncle was a congress man. He was in jail for sometime. Her grand father was a
retired officer.
Her mother was fond of
Music and musical Dramas .She also used to sing and act.
She had acted in Shirt
Tamhankars drama Maichi Maya and played the role of Maya.
She used to help her
mother and also participated in programs of scout and sevadal.
After marriage she
lived in Solapur and Pune. She participated in the programs of Bhagini Mandal.
She also attended the Kathakathan and poetry recital programs of may authors
and poets. They included Shirt Karandikar, Bapat, Mangeshkar, Madgulkar, Mirasdar etc. She read and was
influenced by reading Magazines like Kirloskar Stree and others and also by
hearing the famous authors mentioned. She finally came to Pune and lived in
Rambaug colony. She tells her about here enjoyable moments. Her Words…
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We were staying in
Rambaug Colony Pune. I was now
comparatively free from household responsibilities. So I actively participated
in the activities of Rambaug Colony Bhagini Mandal. I was secretary of the Bhagini Mandal from
1975 to 1980. With the help of the members I organizes many programs. I
specifically chose programs that the members liked. Mostly cooking competitions,
Bhajan and Kirtan . Katah kathan and poetry recital. I also wanted to organize
a Variety Entertainment program for the children and women of the colony. We
had many gifted members. Some expert bridge players, some cooking enthusiasts
so we could have a program every month.
Once there was a
Kirtan by Shrimati Mangala Chitale and after that a cooking competition.
Participants had to prepare ‘Vadis’.
Every participant had done her best. I was not a very good cook But I
prepared Vadis of milk and curds [Shrikhandachya Vadya] and to my surprise I
got the first prize. I was so happy.
I had a cousin Pushpa
Phadke who composed poems. She had a book of her poems published. I organized a
poetry recital by her and the program was great success. I gave a chance to
most talented women in the colony.
We had a very talented
girl Manik Kulkarni who used to act. I decided to stage a drama with her help,
so also an entertainment program consisting of singing and a one Natya chhata
program. Our colony had a specious hall and staging such programs was hence
easy. This program was mainly for and by children.
We practiced for
fifteen days and then fixed a date for the performance. All parents had gathered in the hall and it
was full. The program started at 7 Pm with the invocation of Lord Ganesh. My
friend Neena Bhedasgaokar sang the famous Lavni Bugadi Mazi Sandli Ga. Another seven year
old girlseema sang a song Navin Chandrama aaj. The program ended with a small
drama. This one hour program was appreciated by one and all and the clapping
went on for some time. My compering was also appreciated by all. I still
remember the occasion and by remembering this all over again I have
re-lived the experience.
What I feel is, what
ever small thing you do if you do it with your whole heart it is always
satisfying and there is no greater joy in life than this.
Shrimati Vijaya
Kulkarni
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