The recent teaser of the movie Eetha, starring Shraddha Kapoor, is a tribute to the real Lavani Queen.

The Lavani Queen VithabaiNarayangaonkar inspires the movie.

The bravery this woman holds is beyond imagination, Vithabai.  Born on July 1, 1935, in Pandharpur in Maharashtra’s Solapur district. For them, performing Lavani wasn’t just a profession in their family. It was their bliss in life.

Her grandfather, Narayan Khude, created a travelling tamasha troupe, whereas her father, Bhau Bapu Narayangaonkar, carried the tradition forward. Being born into an artistic family. Right from childhood, Vithabai was blessed to perform Lavani and other traditional folk dances so gracefully that even a glance at her performance would engross people.

She has never gone to acting school. Instead, the road turned into her classroom as she travelled from village to village. One of her performances changed her life.  Celebrated Marathi playwright Mama Varerkar watched Vithabai perform and was immediately enthralled by her stage presence. He invited her to join his troupe, giving her a chance to explore theatrical techniques beyond traditional tamasha.

Her love for performing her art was so deep and connected to her that, once, while performing, she had labour pains in the middle of the performance. Generally, normal people rush to the hospital. But what Vithabai did, no one could have imagined either!  

She silently walked backstage, gave birth, cut the umbilical cord with a stone and was reportedly ready to step back on stage before the astounded audience stopped her. It seems like something straight out of a dramatic film script, yet this unbelievable moment belongs to one of Maharashtra’s greatest folk legends. Her courage and love for her art are also remembered today.

Now, Vithabai’s notable journey is reaching a new generation through Eetha, with Shraddha Kapoor stepping into the role of the iconic lavani and tamasha performer. 

The camera is rolling now, but Vithabai performed remarkably and lived a life that was far more dramatic than fiction.