Wednesday, May 14, 2014

110. Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly

Thousand Full Moon: Shrimati Vijaya Kulkarni (81+)
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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