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Sulabha Deshpande
Sulabha Deshpande
Born	1937; Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India
Died	4 June 2016 (aged 78–79); Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupations	Actress; director;
Years active	1960s–2016
Spouse	Arvind Deshpande (m. 1960; died 1987)

Sulabha Deshpande (Marathi: सुलभा देशपांडे; 1937 – 4 June 2016) was an Indian actress and theatre director. Apart from Marathi theatre and Hindi theatre in Mumbai, she acted in over 73 mainstream Bollywood films. She also performed in art house cinema such as Bhumika (1977), Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan (1978), and Gaman (1978) as a character actor, along with numerous TV series and plays.^[2]^[3] A leading figure in the experimental theatre movement of the 1960s, she was associated with Rangayan, and personalities like Vijay Tendulkar, Vijaya Mehta, and Satyadev Dubey. In 1971, she co-founded the theatre group Awishkar with her husband Arvind Deshpande, and also started its children's wing, Chandrashala, which continues to perform professional children's theatre.^[4] In later years, she acted in serials such as Jee Ley Zara, Ek Packet Umeed, Asmita and in films such as English Vinglish (2012).

She awarded Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress for film Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe.

Early life

She was born and brought up in Mumbai, where she studied at Siddhartha College in Fort, Mumbai, and later received a degree in education.

Career

Deshpande started her career as a teacher at Chhabildas Boys' High School in Dadar, Mumbai. While working there she asked noted playwright, Vijay Tendulkar to write a few plays for her students. This started her association with theatre, and in time made her one of the pioneers in the experimental theatre movement of the 1960s, as she joined the group Rangayan, which was founded by Vijaya Mehta, Vijay Tendulkar, Arvind Deshpande and Shriram Lagoo.^[5] Soon, she started her acting career, though she first received acclaim when she won state-level competitions for her plays like Madhlya Bhintee and Sasaa Ani Kasav. After Rangayan dispersed, she along with her husband Arvind Deshpande, and Arun Kakade formed the theatre group, Awishkar in 1971. Having played the lead role of Leela Benare in Vijay Tendulkar's noted play Shantata! Court Chalu Ahe in 1967 she established her caliber. Later she reprised her role in the 1971 film version of the play directed by Satyadev Dubey, which turned out to be breakthrough role in feature films. Thereafter she went on to work extensively both in Hindi cinema as well as Marathi cinema, and directors like Shyam Benegal, through the height of Indian new wave cinema, in the 1970s and 1980s.^[6]^[7]

Awishkar was housed in the Chhabildas Hall at the Chhabildas Boys' High School, Mumbai, and thus gave rise to Chabildas theatre movement of amateur theatre. It also holds adult education workshops and trains young adults.^[8] Soon, she established the Chandrashala, the children's theatre wing of Awishkar, and directed plays like Baba Harvale Ahet, Raja Ranila Ghaam Hava and Pandit Pandit Tujhi Akkal Shendit and notably the Sangeet Natak, Durga jhali Gauri (Durga Became Gauri) in 1982, a dance drama with a cast of seventy children.^[6]^[7]^[9] She later directed the Hindi film version of the play Raja Ranila Ghaam Hava in 1978. After nearly 18 years of its establishment, Awishkar's association with Chhabildas school ended and the group restarted at the Mahim Municipal School, where it continues to hold its theatre productions, workshops and annual school production of Durga jhali Gauri performed by a new cast each year.^[10] Notable Bollywood actors Nana Patekar and Urmila Matondkar have been students of Chandrashala.^[11] She was playing the role of Grandmother-in-law in Zee Marathi's Serial Asmita.

Personal life

She was married to noted theatre actor-director, Arvind Deshpande, who died in 1987.

Death

Sulabha Deshpande died on 4 June 2016 in Mumbai, after a prolonged illness.^[12]^[13] She was cremated the next day.^[14]

Selected filmography

Films

As actor
Year	Title	Role	Language
1971	Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe	Leela Benare	Marathi
1974	Jadu Ka Shankh जादू का शंख		Hindi
1975	Zindagi Aur Toofan		Hindi
1977	Jait Re Jait जैत रे जैत		Marathi
1977	Bhumika	Shanta	Hindi
1978	Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan अरविंद देसाई की अजीब दास्तान		Hindi
1978	Kondura	Kanthamma	Hindi / Telugu
1978	Gaman	Vasu's mother	Hindi
1980	Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai अल्बर्ट पिंटो को गुस्सा क्यों आता है	Albert's mother	Hindi
1980	Kasturi कस्तूरी		Hindi
1980	Yeh Kaisa Insaf यह कैसा इंसाफ		Hindi
1982	Vijeta		Hindi
1982	Sitam सितम		Hindi
1982	Bheegi Palkein	Janki Kishan Acharya	Hindi
1982	Ramnagari रामनगरी		Hindi
1984	Duniya दुनिया		Hindi
1984	Hech Maza Maher हेच माझं माहेर		Hindi
1985	Ghar Dwaar घर द्वार		Hindi
1985	Janu जानू		Hindi
1985	Sur Sangam सुर संगम		Hindi
1987	Ijaazat इजाजत	Parvati	Hindi
1988	Salaam Bombay! सलाम बोम्बे!	Social Worker at Welfare Centre	Hindi
1988	Khoon Bhari Maang खून भरी मांग		Hindi
1989	Tridev त्रिदेव		Hindi
1990	Ghar Ho To Aisa घर हो तो ऐसा	Dipti Naval's Mother	Hindi
1990	Krodh क्रोध		Hindi
1991	Dushman Devta दुश्मन देवता		Hindi
1991	Chaukat Raja चौकट राजा	Nandu's mother	Marathi
1992	Dhaar		Hindi
1992	Dil Aashna Hai दिल आशना है		Hindi
1992	Hamla हमला		Hindi
1992	Jaan Tere Naam जान तेरे नाम		Hindi
1993	Aadmi Khilona Hai आदमी खिलौना है		Hindi
1994	Chouraha चौराहा		Hindi
1994	Mister Aajad मिस्टर आजाद		Hindi
1995	Ab Insaf Hoga अब इंसाफ होगा		Hindi
1995	Yarana याराना		Hindi
1996	Badalte Rishte बदलते रिश्ते		Hindi
1996	Bhishma भीष्म		Hindi
1996	Bhairavi		Hindi
1997	Virasat विरासत	Bali's mother	Hindi
1997	Tamanna तमन्ना		Hindi
1997	Ek Phool Teen Kante एक फूल तीन कांटे		Hindi
1997	Common Man कॉमन मॅन		Hindi
1997	Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat राजा की आयेगी बारात		Hindi
1997	Ghulam-E-Mustafa गैर		Hindi
1998	Yug Purush युगपुरुष		Hindi
1999	Gair गुलाम-ऐ-मुस्तफा		Hindi
2001	Daughters of This Century डॉटर्स ऑफ धिस सेंचुरी	Hemlata	Hindi
2005	The Film द फिल्म		Hindi
2005	Darpan Ke Piche दर्पण के पीछे		Hindi
2009	Vihir	Bau Aaji	Marathi
2010	Haapus		Marathi
2011	Mala Aai Vhhaychy!		Marathi
2012	English Vinglish	Mrs. Godbole	Hindi
2013	Investment	Aai	Marathi
2017	Braveheart	Marathi

As director
Year	Title	Language	Notes
1978	Raja Rani Ko Chahiye Pasina	Hindi	Children's film

Television

As actor
Year	Title	Language	Channel
1986	Chhoti Badi Baatein	Hindi
	Rishtey (Season 1) Episode: Jeeya Jaaye Naa...	Hindi	Zee TV
	Rishtey (Season 2) Episode: Chhaaya	Hindi	Zee TV
1995	Aahat Season 1 1995-2001 episode 116-117 Tasveer	Hindi	SET
1996	Badalte Rishte	Hindi
1997–1999	Tanha	Hindi	StarPlus
1998	Woh	Hindi	Zee TV
1998	Alpviram	Hindi	SET
2004	Kumkum - Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan	Hindi	Star Plus
2006	Resham Dankh	Hindi	STAR One
2008	Ek Packet Umeed	Hindi	NDTV Imagine
2008-2010	Kulvadhu	Marathi	Zee Marathi
2009	Kunku	Marathi	Zee Marathi
2011	Mrs. Tendulkar	Hindi	Sony SAB
2013	Kehta Hai Dil Jee Le Zara	Hindi	SET
2014-2016	Asmita	Marathi	Zee Marathi

Theatre^[15]

Title	Language	Notes
Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe	Marathi
Raja Ranila Ghaam Hava	Marathi
Sakharam Binder	Marathi
Durga Zaali Gauri	Marathi
Baba Harvale Ahet	Marathi
Pandit Pandit Tujhi Akkal Shendit	Marathi

Awards

She was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for theatre acting in Marathi and Hindi theatre in 1987, the award is given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recognition given to practising artists.^[16] She also received the award, Tanveer Sanman in 2010.^[6] She has also been honoured by various other awards like Nanasaheb Phatak Puraskar, Ganpatrao Joshi Puraskar, Vasantrao Kanetkar Puraskar, Kusumagraj Puraskar, Rangabhoomi Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar^[17] and Sarvashrestha Kalagaurav Puraskar by Sanskruti Kaladarpan.^[18]

References

^ "Veteran actor, theatre person Sulabha Deshpande passes away". The Indian Express. 4 June 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
^ "Theatre guru Satyadev Dubey passes away". The Hindu. 25 December 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
^ "Interview : 'Reaction matters to me'". The Hindu. 16 November 2008. Archived from the original on 16 April 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
^ "Quality, not quantity of life, matters, feels Sulabha Deshpande". The Indian Express. 13 October 2012.
^ Vijay Tendulkar. Five Plays For Children. Scholastic India. p. introduction. ISBN 8184771339.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Tanveer Sanman for Sulabha Deshpande". The Times of India. 2 December 2010. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
^ ^a ^b "Tanveer Sanman for veteran actress Sulabha Deshpande". DNA. 4 December 2010.
^ Rustom Bharucha (1990). Theatre and the World: Performance and the Politics of Culture. Routledge. p. 113. ISBN 0415092167.
^ Don Rubin (1998). The World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre: Volume 5: Asia/Pacific. Taylor & Francis. p. 203. ISBN 041505933X.
^ "Shantata! Awishkar Chalu Aahe". Mumbai Theatre Guide. August 2008.
^ Agnihotri, Aarati (12 October 2012). "मैने अच्छी सास का रोल किया है इंग्लिश-विंग्लिश में". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). Chandigarh. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
^ "Remembering Arvind Deshpande (May 31, 1932 – January 3, 1987)". January 2007.
^ ज्येष्ठ अभिनेत्री सुलभा देशपांडे यांच्या पार्थिवावर अंत्यसंस्कार
^ ज्येष्ठ अभिनेत्री सुलभा देशपांडे यांचे निधन Archived 5 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine
^ Sulabha Deshpande
^ "SNA: List of Akademi Awardees". Sangeet Natak Akademi Official website. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012.
^ "नोंद : सुलभा देशपांडे". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). 5 March 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
^ "सुलभा देशपांडे यांना "सर्वश्रेष्ठ कलागौरव'". Sakal (in Marathi). Mumbai. 26 March 2012. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2012.

External links

[1] "Veteran actor, theatre person Sulabha Deshpande passes away". The Indian Express. 4 June 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2016.

[2] "Theatre guru Satyadev Dubey passes away". The Hindu. 25 December 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2012.

[3] "Interview : 'Reaction matters to me'". The Hindu. 16 November 2008. Archived from the original on 16 April 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2012.

[4] "Quality, not quantity of life, matters, feels Sulabha Deshpande". The Indian Express. 13 October 2012.

[5] Vijay Tendulkar. Five Plays For Children. Scholastic India. p. introduction. ISBN 8184771339.

[toi-6] "Tanveer Sanman for Sulabha Deshpande". The Times of India. 2 December 2010. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2012.

[dna-7] "Tanveer Sanman for veteran actress Sulabha Deshpande". DNA. 4 December 2010.

[8] Rustom Bharucha (1990). Theatre and the World: Performance and the Politics of Culture. Routledge. p. 113. ISBN 0415092167.

[9] Don Rubin (1998). The World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre: Volume 5: Asia/Pacific. Taylor & Francis. p. 203. ISBN 041505933X.

[10] "Shantata! Awishkar Chalu Aahe". Mumbai Theatre Guide. August 2008.

[11] Agnihotri, Aarati (12 October 2012). "मैने अच्छी सास का रोल किया है इंग्लिश-विंग्लिश में". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). Chandigarh. Retrieved 11 December 2012.

[ar-12] "Remembering Arvind Deshpande (May 31, 1932 – January 3, 1987)". January 2007.

[13] ज्येष्ठ अभिनेत्री सुलभा देशपांडे यांच्या पार्थिवावर अंत्यसंस्कार

[14] ज्येष्ठ अभिनेत्री सुलभा देशपांडे यांचे निधन Archived 5 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine

[15] Sulabha Deshpande

[16] "SNA: List of Akademi Awardees". Sangeet Natak Akademi Official website. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012.

[17] "नोंद : सुलभा देशपांडे". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). 5 March 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2012.

[18] "सुलभा देशपांडे यांना "सर्वश्रेष्ठ कलागौरव'". Sakal (in Marathi). Mumbai. 26 March 2012. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2012.

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PROFILBARU.COM

Sulabha Deshpande

Early life

Career

Personal life

Death