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Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Schoolchildren help restore forgotten memorial to girl lost to cause of women's education
1 2 3 Pune: Neither the police nor the public gave a second glance at the old, crumbling fountain near Faraskhana police station's parking lot. Few knew it stood as a father's tribute to a daughter lost to the cause of women's education. That changed when a group of Class VI students from DPS Hinjewadi decided to clean it and restore its glory. Around 137 years ago, education for girls was fiercely opposed. But Dr Vishram Ramji Ghollay or Ghole, a Pune-based surgeon and member of a reformist group Satyashodhak Samaj, founded by social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, defied the norm by sending his young daughter to school. Shraddha Kumbhojkar, professor of history at the Savitribai Phule Pune University, said, "Based on contemporary memories and retelling of stories from the descendants, we know about the history of this water fountain. Dr Vishram Ramji Ghole sent his daughter Kashibai to a school founded by the Phule couple and their colleagues, which was one of the earliest schools for girls operated by Indians. Dr Ghole braved huge opposition from the society, including his relatives, for committing the 'sin' of sending his daughters to school. " According to the epitaph on the water fountain, Kashibai was born on Sept 13, 1869, and died on Sept 27, 1877 at the age of 8. "Kashibai used to walk to the school from their home. One day, as she was walking to school and requested water from some residents on the way, she was given poisoned water by them, leading to Kashibai's death. Grieving, Dr Ghole did not give up on the cause of female education. He constructed a drinking water fountain in 1880 so that anyone could drink clean water from it. The fountain-sculpture was adorned with a doll because Kashibai was lovingly called Bahuli, which means a doll. Dr Ghole continued to educate other children, including his daughter, Gangubai. She went on to be a graduate and gave lectures on Indian culture in the US." However, the fountain was displaced from its original place to a new location near Faraskhana police station when Pune Municipal Corporation decided to widen the road in 1952, said Mandar Lawate, another historian. "It ceased to be a water fountain in its new place and unfortunately fell into disrepair," said Lawate. For decades, it lay neglected. Then came a heritage walk organised by Jayesh Paranjape of The Western Routes, which was attended by Siddharth Rajgarhia, director of Delhi Public School Hinjawadi. "I clicked pictures of the haud and showed them to students in the school who were very excited about the history of the place and wanted to do something about it. They first went on a heritage tour with Jayesh to see it for themselves. The students not only brought attention to the forgotten memorial by speaking with the police personnel but also took the first step in restoring it by cleaning the space," said Rajgarhia. This was an eye-opener for police personnel. "Except for people who are originally from Pune or have an interest in history, nobody knew about this structure. While it is near Faraskhana police station, the structure is currently under Vishrambaug police station's jurisdiction and they decided to clean it up," said senior PI Prashant Bhasme from Faraskhana police station. Even Vijaymala Pawar, the senior PI at Vishrambaug police station, said they didn't know about the structure until students showed up. "It was in the parking area in a bad condition. After the students cleaned it up, our people painted and restored it. But of course, the fountain is not working." "The opening ceremony of the haud was done on Bhaubij day at the hands of Dada Bhutkar, a great social reformer from Matang community. It was declared open to all, irrespective of caste or religion, and Bahulicha Haud became a celebrated spot, particularly during Ganesh Festival. Now the haud is no more, and the statue of Bahuli on the top has disappeared. What remains is the original marble epitaph in the symbolic shape of a book with inscriptions composed by Dr Ghole in Marathi and English," said Sheela Padmanabhan, whose maternal grandfather was Vishram Ghole. The doll's statue on the fountain has been replaced with a woman's statue. "We installed the statue on the fountain while helping the police in the restoration work of the haud," said Sunil Rasane, president of Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganapati Trust. Pune: Neither the police nor the public gave a second glance at the old, crumbling fountain near Faraskhana police station's parking lot. Few knew it stood as a father's tribute to a daughter lost to the cause of women's education. That changed when a group of Class VI students from DPS Hinjewadi decided to clean it and restore its glory. Around 137 years ago, education for girls was fiercely opposed. But Dr Vishram Ramji Ghollay or Ghole, a Pune-based surgeon and member of a reformist group Satyashodhak Samaj, founded by social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, defied the norm by sending his young daughter to school. Shraddha Kumbhojkar, professor of history at the Savitribai Phule Pune University, said, "Based on contemporary memories and retelling of stories from the descendants, we know about the history of this water fountain. Dr Vishram Ramji Ghole sent his daughter Kashibai to a school founded by the Phule couple and their colleagues, which was one of the earliest schools for girls operated by Indians. Dr Ghole braved huge opposition from the society, including his relatives, for committing the 'sin' of sending his daughters to school. " According to the epitaph on the water fountain, Kashibai was born on Sept 13, 1869, and died on Sept 27, 1877 at the age of 8. "Kashibai used to walk to the school from their home. One day, as she was walking to school and requested water from some residents on the way, she was given poisoned water by them, leading to Kashibai's death. Grieving, Dr Ghole did not give up on the cause of female education. He constructed a drinking water fountain in 1880 so that anyone could drink clean water from it. The fountain-sculpture was adorned with a doll because Kashibai was lovingly called Bahuli, which means a doll. Dr Ghole continued to educate other children, including his daughter, Gangubai. She went on to be a graduate and gave lectures on Indian culture in the US." However, the fountain was displaced from its original place to a new location near Faraskhana police station when Pune Municipal Corporation decided to widen the road in 1952, said Mandar Lawate, another historian. "It ceased to be a water fountain in its new place and unfortunately fell into disrepair," said Lawate. For decades, it lay neglected. Then came a heritage walk organised by Jayesh Paranjape of The Western Routes, which was attended by Siddharth Rajgarhia, director of Delhi Public School Hinjawadi. "I clicked pictures of the haud and showed them to students in the school who were very excited about the history of the place and wanted to do something about it. They first went on a heritage tour with Jayesh to see it for themselves. The students not only brought attention to the forgotten memorial by speaking with the police personnel but also took the first step in restoring it by cleaning the space," said Rajgarhia. This was an eye-opener for police personnel. "Except for people who are originally from Pune or have an interest in history, nobody knew about this structure. While it is near Faraskhana police station, the structure is currently under Vishrambaug police station's jurisdiction and they decided to clean it up," said senior PI Prashant Bhasme from Faraskhana police station. Even Vijaymala Pawar, the senior PI at Vishrambaug police station, said they didn't know about the structure until students showed up. "It was in the parking area in a bad condition. After the students cleaned it up, our people painted and restored it. But of course, the fountain is not working." "The opening ceremony of the haud was done on Bhaubij day at the hands of Dada Bhutkar, a great social reformer from Matang community. It was declared open to all, irrespective of caste or religion, and Bahulicha Haud became a celebrated spot, particularly during Ganesh Festival. Now the haud is no more, and the statue of Bahuli on the top has disappeared. What remains is the original marble epitaph in the symbolic shape of a book with inscriptions composed by Dr Ghole in Marathi and English," said Sheela Padmanabhan, whose maternal grandfather was Vishram Ghole. The doll's statue on the fountain has been replaced with a woman's statue. "We installed the statue on the fountain while helping the police in the restoration work of the haud," said Sunil Rasane, president of Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganapati Trust.
Mint
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
‘Phule' review: Too much like textbook history
Writer-director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan bookends his 129-minute biopic on social reformers and educationists Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule with the events of 1897. Poona is devastated by the plague. Savitribai runs across parched land to bring an ailing child to a makeshift medical camp. Before the doctors can pronounce a prognosis, events move back in time to 1848. Savitri was a child bride then, married to the slightly older Jyotirao Phule who, even as a teenager, was progressive enough to want his wife to be educated. This did not sit well with his conservative father (Vinay Pathak). Undeterred, Jyotirao continued to encourage not just his wife, but also the younger village girls, to learn. Now older and more committed, the Phules' egalitarian practices and focus on social reform conflicted with the caste hierarchy of the time. The ire of higher-caste men, enraged that the 'untouchables' were stepping out of their lane, compelled the couple to move away from their family home. Joy Sengupta plays the upper-caste Vinayak, Darsheel Safary is the adopted son Yashwant Phule, and Amit Behl plays the head priest. Sharad Kelkar serves as narrator, giving the staccato screenplay some cohesion. The landed Phule was both businessman and social reformer. The film progresses through key life moments, almost as if visually and dutifully depicting Wikipedia entries for the Phules. From Jyotirao teaching his wife, to setting up schools for girls, taking a stand against widow discrimination, forming the Satyashodhak Samaj, encouraging Savitri and Fatima to become the first female teachers in India, and challenging the caste system—every landmark moment and action is perfunctorily depicted. Add to this a leaden cinematic language and basic storytelling (co-written by Muazzam Beg), which makes Phule feel like a rendition from a history textbook. Phule reads and rereads Thomas Paine's 1791 book Rights of Man. Inspired by the writings, he stokes his own little revolution that includes enrolling Savitri (Patralekhaa) and his friend's sister, Fatima Shaikh (Akshaya Gurav), in a teacher training programme and galvanising barbers to reject age-old oppressive practices. While Fatima is barely given any speaking scenes, we do see Savitri's empowerment and confidence increase. Jyotirao encourages and supports her, and Savitri bravely leans into her agency, even when upper-caste Brahmins humiliate her. Patralekhaa Paul is forceful and spirited in those latter scenes—an energy that is missing from Jyotirao—yet Gandhi interprets this historical character with reverence and solemnity. Mahadevan respectfully enforces Savitri and Jyotirao's rock-solid partnership, their mutual respect, and unfaltering commitment to a greater cause—one that still feels pertinent. First Published: 26 Apr 2025, 04:54 PM IST
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First Post
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Phule movie review: Pratik Gandhi & Patralekhaa starrer biographical drama is beautiful, poignant and heart touching
Director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan has brilliantly crafted the biographical drama of Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule as the movie showcases the precious contribution of the couple, which played a crucial role in making India a progressive country. read more Star cast: Pratik Gandhi, Patralekhaa, Vinay Pathak, Sushil Pandey, Darsheel Safary, Suresh Vishwakarma, Joysen Gupta, Alexx O'Nell, Amit Behl, Akshaya Gurav and Jayesh More Director: Ananth Narayan Mahadevan After facing controversies and headlines, Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa starrer Phule has finally hit the screens today. Based on the life of social activist, businessman, anti-caste social reformer and writer, Jyotirao Phule aka Jyotiba Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule (the first female teacher of India), the biographical drama showcases the couple's contributions to social reform and education in India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While the trailer looked promising due to the nuanced acts of the lead cast, does it manage to impress the audience? Let's find out… The plot starts in 1897 in Poona (now Pune), where villagers are scared due to the bubonic plague and are taken to medical camps by Britishers. In a panic, Savitribai Phule (played by Patralekhaa), without any fear or hesitation, carries a kid and takes him to the camp. Cut to 1848, young Jyotiba Phule ( Pratik Gandhi) is teaching English to his wife Savitri, which is not only liked by the upper caste or surroundings but also by his father Govind Phule (Vinay Pathak). Jyotiba secretly goes to his upper caste friend's house along with Savitribai to educate young girls. But soon the upper caste people reach that place and destroy all the study material. Later, all the Brahmins warn Jyotiba through Panchayat to stop educating girls as it is insulting Indian culture and tradition and accepting the slavery of Britishers. To avoid any trouble for his father and elder brother, Jyotiba and Savitribai leave their home and go to Usman's house, who is Phule's school friend. As they realize that people are not comfortable sending girls to schools because there are no female teachers, Savitribai Phule and Usman's sister Fatima get professional training and thus emerge as female teachers of India. On 15th May 1849, a small open school was started by Savitribai and Fatima with 30 girls and by 1852, the number of schools reached 20. While the problem of girl education is slowly and steadily being solved, Jyotiba realizes the condition of Shudras (lower caste) and widows is still miserable due to regressive and orthodox traditions implemented by the upper caste. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On 24th September 1873, Jyotiba starts the Satyashodhak Samaj to fight for the equal rights of the lower caste and combat caste discrimination. The couple also tackled the Great Famine in India, which was triggered due to drought in 1876 and solved it with great will and determination. For the upliftment of the Shudras (Dalits) and for spreading progressive thoughts including widow remarriage, Phule was bestowed with the title of Mahatma on May 11, 1888. Till the demise of the couple, Jyotiba and Savitribai gave their heart, soul and everything for the reformation of the country and making a place where girls can be educated with free minds and no fear. Director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan has brilliantly crafted the biographical drama of Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule as the movie beautifully showcases the precious contribution of the couple, which played a crucial role in making India a progressive country. Ananth takes you to that era and makes you part of Jyotiba and Savitirbai's struggles, hardships and triumphs. While Sunita Radia has done a good job as DoP, Raunak Phadnis' editing is good but could have been a bit crisper in the second half. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Talking about the performances, Pratik delivers a stellar act as Jyotiba and his sincerity in portraying this great soul is visible in every frame. Patralekhaa too gives an eye-pleasing emotional performance and makes a special place in your heart. Supporting cast including Vinay Pathak, Sushil Pandey, Suresh Vishwakarma, Joysen Gupta, Alexx O'Nell, Amit Behl, Akshaya Gurav and Jayesh More have played their roles perfectly. Special mention for Taare Zameen Par actor Darsheel Safary, who played Jyotiba and Savitribai's adopted son Yashwant with innocence and finesse. On the whole, Phule is a must-watch for all the Indians as it is a beautiful tribute to Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule. Rating: 3.5 (out of 5 stars) Phule is playing in cinemas
