Remembering Mai Ramabai on Her Birth Anniversary

SOCIAL

Remembering Mai Ramabai on Her Birth Anniversary

07 FEB 2025

Ramabai Ambedkar was a pillar of strength and resilience, standing by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar through hardships, ensuring his pursuit of education and social reform remained unwavering

Behind every successful man, there is often a woman who provides unwavering support, encouragement, and inspiration. This woman could be a mother, a sister, or a wife, playing an essential role in shaping his journey. One such remarkable woman was Ramabai Bhimrao Ambedkar, fondly known as ‘Ramai’ or ‘Mata Ramabai,’ whose presence and sacrifices deeply influenced the life of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. As the nation, particularly the marginalized and oppressed communities, commemorates her birth anniversary, it is a moment to reflect on her immense contributions and the strength she exhibited throughout her life.

Born on February 7, 1898, in Dabhol, a small village in Maharashtra, Ramabai belonged to a poor Dalit family. Her parents, Bhiku Dhatre and Rukmini, struggled to make ends meet. Her father worked as a porter, earning his livelihood by carrying baskets of fish from Dabhol port to the market. Life was challenging for the family, and Ramabai lost her parents at an early age. Left orphaned, she and her siblings—Gorabai, Mirabai, and Shankar—were taken to Mumbai by their uncle, who took on the responsibility of raising them.

At the age of nine, in 1906, Ramabai was married to Babasaheb Ambedkar, who was then fifteen. The marriage took place in Byculla, Mumbai, marking the beginning of a lifelong companionship filled with struggles, sacrifices, and resilience. Ramabai affectionately called her husband “Saheb,” while he called her “Ramu.”

Despite facing hardships, Ramabai stood steadfastly beside Dr. Ambedkar as he pursued his dream of acquiring higher education abroad. She encouraged him to chase his academic aspirations even when it meant enduring severe financial difficulties. Life was far from easy in his absence, yet she never let him know about the hardships she endured back home. She managed household affairs in extreme poverty, making cow dung cakes and carrying them on her head to use as cooking fuel. She bore every challenge without complaint, ensuring that Dr. Ambedkar could focus on his studies without any distractions. It was her silent strength that contributed to his success as an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer, and the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.

A few movies made about Ramabai

Dr. Ambedkar, recognizing her sacrifices, dedicated his book, ‘Thoughts on Pakistan,’ to her. He expressed his gratitude by acknowledging her kindness, her noble mind, and her pure character, paying tribute to her unwavering support through the most difficult times. Their relationship was marked by deep mutual respect and understanding, built on a foundation of love and shared struggles.

Noted Ambedkarite intellectual Mangesh Dahiwale highlights Ramabai’s resilience, stating that she faced dire situations where her very existence was threatened. She endured loss, extreme poverty, and the deaths of her children, yet never faltered. Her strength was a pillar for Babasaheb, providing him the moral and emotional support he needed to continue his work for social justice and equality.

The couple had five children—one daughter, Indu, and four sons, Yashwant, Gangadhar, Ramesh, and Rajratna. Tragedy struck when only their eldest son, Yashwant, survived, while the others passed away. Despite the personal losses and the burdens she carried, Ramabai remained strong and committed to her husband’s cause. Her struggles finally took a toll on her health, and after battling a prolonged illness, she passed away on May 26, 1935. Her death was a great personal loss to Dr. Ambedkar, who had always drawn immense strength from her presence.

In the realm of cinema, various films have portrayed the life and contributions of Ramabai Ambedkar. One of the earliest films dedicated to her was ‘Ramabai Bhimrao Ambedkar,’ a Marathi film directed by Prakash Jadhav in 2011. Actress Nisha Parulker played the role of Ramabai, with Ganesh Jethe as Dr. Ambedkar. The film, available in Hindi on YouTube, brought her struggles to a wider audience.

Another film titled ‘Ramabai’ was released in Kannada in 2016, directed by M. Ranganath, coinciding with Dr. Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary. Actress Yagna Shetty played the role of Ramabai, while Siddaram Karnik portrayed Dr. Ambedkar. Yagna Shetty, a celebrated Kannada actress, later won the Filmfare Award for her performance in 2020. Additionally, ‘Ramai,’ another Marathi film, featured Vina Jamkar as Ramabai and Sagar Talashikar as Dr. Ambedkar, capturing the essence of her life and sacrifices.

Several other movies have also depicted the journey of the Ambedkar couple. The bilingual English-Hindi film ‘Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar,’ directed by Jabbar Patel, featured Mammootty in the titular role and won National Film Awards in multiple categories in 1999. The Telugu film ‘Dr. Ambedkar,’ released in 1992 and directed by Parpalli Bharat, had Neena Gupta portraying Ramabai, while Akash Khurana played Ambedkar. Another Kannada film, directed by Sharan Kumar Kabbur in 2005, had Vishnukanth B.J. as Dr. Ambedkar and national award-winning actress-turned-politician Tara as Ramabai.

The portrayal of Ramabai’s character in these films has left a profound impact, with the scenes depicting her struggles and ultimate passing evoking deep emotions among viewers. Her sacrifices have been increasingly recognized, particularly among Ambedkar’s followers, yet for many years, she remained overshadowed by history. Interestingly, even Dr. Ambedkar’s second wife, Savita Ambedkar, acknowledged Ramabai’s contributions. When someone approached Savita Mai with a proposal to name a school after her, she refused and suggested it be named after Mata Ramabai instead, a testament to the deep respect and recognition of Ramabai’s sacrifices.

Ramabai Bhimrao Ambedkar’s life is an extraordinary example of endurance, quiet strength, and immense dedication. She was not just the wife of a great leader; she was a woman of remarkable resilience who bore the brunt of hardships to ensure that Babasaheb could pursue his mission. As we remember her on her birth anniversary, it is important to recognize the sacrifices she made, the silent struggles she endured, and the indomitable spirit she carried throughout her life. She remains an inspiration, not only as the companion of one of India’s greatest reformers but as a woman who, through her silent sacrifices, helped shape the future of social justice in the country.