Actress Urmila Kothare is roped in to play the main role of Vithabai Narayangaonkar in the film titled ‘Vitha’. National awards winner Upendra Limaye will be seen in an important role along with Urmila. ‘Vitha’ is the unfolding of the life of the ‘Tamasha Samradini’ which has an equally impressive music.
Produced by Dinesh Agarwal, ‘Vitha’ is written and directed by Pundalik Dhumal. Sanjay Jadhav and Devendra Golatkar are the cinematographers; the art director is Mahesh Salgaonkar. ‘Vitha’ will be releasing in summer 2017.
Vithabai Narayangaonkar:
Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar (12 July 1935 – 15 January 2002) 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. Since childhood, she was exposed to the various forms of songs like Lavani, 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.
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.
