Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar

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. 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.

She received medals from the President of India in 1957 and 1990 for her art. 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. Her hospital bills after her death were met by contribution from donors.

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. The Vithabai Narayangaonkar Lifetime Achievement Award has been named after her, it is awarded by the government of Maharashtra. Amongst the winners has been her daughter Mangala Bansode