Ramabai Bhimrao Ambedkar

Ramabai Bhimrao Ambedkar (7 February 1898 – 27 May 1935) was the first wife of B. R. Ambedkar,[1] who said her support was instrumental in helping him pursue his higher education and his true potential.[2] She has been the subject of a number of biographical movies and books. A number of landmarks across India have been named after her. She is also known as Ramai (Mother Rama).

Ramabai Bhimrao Ambedkar
Ramabai Ambedkar
Born(1898-02-07)7 February 1898
Vanand, Bombay Presidency, British India
(now in Maharashtra, India)
Died27 May 1935(1935-05-27) (aged 37)
Rajgruha, Bombay, British India
Other namesRamai (Mother Rama), Ramu
SpouseB. R. Ambedkar
Children5, including Yashwant

Early life

Ramabai was born in a poor family to Bhiku Dhotre (Valangkar) and Rukmini. She lived with her three sisters and a brother, Shankar, in the Mahapura locality within the village of Vanand near Dapoli Ratnagiri. Her father earned his livelihood by carrying baskets of fish from Harnai Bunder & Dabhol harbour to the market. Her mother died when she was young and, after her father also died, her uncles Valangkar and Govindpurkar took the children to Bombay to live with them in Byculla market.[3]

Marriage
Ambedkar with her family members at Rajgruha, his residence in Mumbai in February 1934. From left – Yashwant (Son), Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (husband), Smt. Ramabai, Smt. Laxmibai (Wife of BR Ambedkar's elder brother, Anand) and Dr. Ambedkar's favourite dog, Tobby.

Ramabai married Ambedkar in 1906 in a very simple ceremony in the vegetable market of Byculla, Mumbai. At the time, Ambedkar was aged 15 and Ramabai was Eight.[3] His affectionate name for her was "Rāmu", while she called him "Saheb".[4] They had five children – Yashwant, Gangadhar, Ramesh, Indu (daughter) and Rajratna. Apart from Yashwant (1912–1977), the other four died in their childhood.[5][6]

Death

Ramabai died on 27 May 1935 at Rajgruha in Hindu Colony, Dadar, Bombay, after a prolonged chronic illness. She had been married to Ambedkar for 29 years.[3]

Credit by her husband

B. R. Ambedkar's book Thoughts on Pakistan, published in 1941, was dedicated to Ramabai. In the preface, Ambedkar credits her with his transformation from an ordinary Bhiva or Bhima to Dr Ambedkar.

The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, unveiling the statue of Ramabai Ambedkar, at Pune, in Maharashtra on 30 May 2018

Ramabai's life has been featured in the following:

Movies, televisions and drama
  • Ramai, a 1992 drama directed by Ashok Gawali[2]
  • Bhim Garjana, a 1990 Marathi film directed by Vijay Pawar, the role of Ramabai Ambedkar was played by Prathama Devi.
  • Yugpurush Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, a 1993 Marathi film directed by Shashikant Nalavade, the role of Ramabai Ambedkar was played by Chitra Koppikar.
  • Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, a 2000 English film directed by Jabbar Patel, the role of Ramabai Ambedkar was played by Sonali Kulkarni.
  • Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, a 2005 Kannada film directed by Sharan Kumar Kabbur, the role of Ramabai Ambedkar was played by Tara Anuradha.
  • Ramabai Bhimrao Ambedkar, a 2011 Marathi film directed by Prakash Jadhav, the role of Ramabai Ambedkar was played by Nisha Parulekar.
  • Ramabai, a 2016 Kannada film directed by M. Ranganath, the role of Ramabai Ambedkar was played by Yagna Shetty.[7]
  • Dr. Ambedkar, a Hindi television series aired on DD National.
  • Garja Maharashtra (2018–19), a Marathi television series aired on Sony Marathi.
  • Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar - Mahamanvachi Gauravgatha (2019), a Marathi television series airing on Star Pravah starring Shivani Rangole as Ramabai Ambedkar while Mrunmayi Supal portrayed the young version of the character.[8][9]

Books
  • Ramai, by Yashwant Manohar
  • Tyagawanti Rama Mauli, by Nana Dhakulkar, Vijay Publications (Nagpur)
  • Priya Ramu, by Yogiraj Bagul, Granthali Publication[4]

See also

References
  1. Khajane, Muralidhara (2016-04-15). "The life and times of Ramabai Ambedkar". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
  2. "'Ramai' portrays poignant and tragic life of Ramabai Ambedkar - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
  3. Manohar, Yashwant. Ramabai. India: Pratima Publications. p. 51. ISBN 9788192647111.
  4. "महापुरुषाची सावली". Loksatta (in Marathi). 3 December 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  5. Jogi, Dr. Sunil (2007). Dalit Samajache Pitamah Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar (in Marathi). Diamond Books. p. 50.
  6. Gaikwad, Dr. Dnyanraj Kashinath (2016). Mahamanav Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (in Marathi). Riya Publication. p. 186.
  7. Khajane, Muralidhara (14 April 2015). "Remembering Ramabai". The Hindu.
  8. "Shivani Rangole to play Ramabai - Times of India". The Times of India.
  9. "ही बालकलाकार साकारणार छोट्या रमाबाईंची भूमिका". 18 July 2019.
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