In the heart of Mumbai, often overshadowed by the fast-paced modern life, lies a treasure trove of untold stories of pioneering women who shaped the course of history through their fierce determination and activism. While we celebrate women achievers and leaders in various fields, many of these unsung heroines, especially those from areas like Girgaon and Gamdevi, remain hidden in the folds of time. Despite their monumental contributions to social reform and women’s empowerment, their names have been largely neglected by mainstream history.
The illuminating WonderWomen walk, conducted by Aniket Kharote of Khaki Tours, threw light on some of these incredible women, as well as the progressive men who stood by them. The late 18th and early 19th centuries, especially in Maharashtra, were marked by a reformist zeal, with a key focus on women’s education and social equality. Yet, the stories of these trailblazing women are seldom told, and their contributions are often relegated to footnotes.
The walk began at the Royal Opera House, a venue that, though renowned for its cultural legacy, also tells the story of the unconventional Bal Gandharva. Known for his portrayal of female characters in Sangeet Natak, a form of Marathi musical drama, Bal Gandharva challenged the norms of his time when women were banned from acting in plays. His real-life defiance of societal restrictions was evident in his marriage to Gauharbai Karnataki, a Muslim singer and actress, who was ostracized by Brahmin society. This rebellious act of love against caste and societal norms marked the beginning of an era where such defiance was seen in both art and life.
A small sign across the street points to the Hind Mahila Samaj, a testament to the enduring legacy of Avantikabai Gokhale, née Joshi. Married off at the tender age of nine, Avantikabai was denied education by her family. But her husband, an engineer, took it upon himself to teach her, and when tragedy struck and he lost his fingers in an accident, Avantikabai stepped in as the family’s primary breadwinner. In 1913, she joined the Social Service League and, through her travels to London, met Indian leaders like Sarojini Naidu and G. K. Gokhale. She later returned to Mumbai, founding the Hind Mahila Samaj, and spearheaded campaigns for women’s education, sanitation, and labor welfare, particularly for indigo workers. Her unwavering commitment led her to write the first-ever Marathi biography of Mahatma Gandhi, which was published in 1918 with a preface by Lokmanya Tilak.
Just a stone’s throw away, Anjanabai Malpekar, a classical singer from the Bhendi Bazaar Gharana, defied social norms by performing in public at the age of 16, a feat unimaginable for women from respectable families at the time. Her contributions to classical music were monumental, and she became the first woman to receive a Sangeet Natya Akademi Fellowship. She was also immortalized by the artist Raja Ravi Varma, who painted her, capturing the beauty that made her the muse of his works. Pandit Paluskar, another towering figure of the time, revolutionized classical music by breaking it free from the confines of traditional gharanas and making it accessible to all. His disciple, BR Deodhar, continued this legacy, establishing the Deodhar School of Music in Mumbai, where women were encouraged to learn music, further breaking societal barriers.
Among the many figures who stood out was Dr. Edith Pechey, a Scotswoman who became Mumbai’s first female doctor. She campaigned tirelessly for women’s healthcare, founded a nurse-training program, and fought for the abolition of child marriage. Her most notable achievement was facilitating the education of Rukhmabai, who became the second Indian woman to practice medicine. Dr. Pechey’s landmark legal battle against her own child marriage led to the passing of the Age of Consent Act in 1891, which raised the legal age of marriage for girls and was a significant victory in the women’s rights movement.
The Dhurandhar sisters, Jamnabai and Jaybala, were also trailblazers in their own right. Both pursued medical careers, pioneering the treatment of infertility at a time when women were often sidelined in such professions. Their work gave women of the middle and upper classes a safe space to discuss personal health issues.
A short distance away stood the iconic Blavatsky Lodge, a hub for the Theosophical Society and home to many women leaders, including Helena Blavatsky, Annie Besant, and Rukminidevi Arundale. The lodge was central to the Independence movement and hosted performances by legendary musicians, including Kesarbai Kerkar. Kerkar’s powerful voice, which featured in the Voyager Golden Record in 1977, was one of the few by a woman included in the prestigious project aimed at showcasing the diversity of human culture.
The Raut bungalow, another architectural marvel, was home to Sakharam Arjun Raut, whose marriage to a widow named Rukhmabai caused a scandal in its time. Rukhmabai went on to become one of India’s first female doctors and was a strong advocate for the abolition of purdah, which hindered women’s progress. She was instrumental in founding the Sharda Mandir High School for girls, which continues to serve as a beacon of education for young women today.
The Mathuradas Goculdas bungalow, where Sumati Morarjee lived before her marriage, tells the story of a woman who defied all odds to lead a shipping company and become the first woman to head an organization of ship owners globally. A social activist, she helped refugees during the Partition and played a key role in establishing a school in Juhu. She also contributed significantly to spreading the ISKCON movement in the West, which brought Indian spirituality to global attention.
Saraswat Mahila Samaj, founded in 1917 by Sitabai Padbidri and Shantabai Sirur, empowered women by teaching them to make and sell homemade products. The Samaj continues to publish Rasachandrika, a guide on festivals, rituals, and remedies, providing valuable cultural knowledge to generations of women.
Ramabai Ranade, another towering figure in Mumbai’s feminist history, founded Seva Sadan, an institution dedicated to the vocational training of women, which continues to operate today. Dr. Kashibai Navrange, India’s first woman doctor to open her clinic, also established a Milk Fund to help pregnant and lactating mothers, furthering the cause of maternal health.
Pandita Ramabai, one of the foremost social reformers and Sanskrit scholars, is also a name that deserves recognition. The first woman to receive the title of Pandita, she converted to Christianity during her visit to England in the 1880s and subsequently raised funds in the U.S. to help destitute Indian women. She founded Sharada Sadan for child widows and Mukti Mission, which continues its work near Pune.
The WonderWomen walk ended at the August Kranti Maidan, a site of monumental significance where leaders like Aruna Asaf Ali and Usha Mehta etched their names in the fight for India’s independence. Today, we owe much of the progress women have made in education, healthcare, and employment to the struggles fought by these unsung heroines. Their courage, vision, and indomitable spirit paved the way for future generations, and their stories deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated.
Deepa Gahlot is a Mumbai-based columnist, critic and author
