Ek thi Gulab- Part 3 of 5.

The journey of a legendary artiste, who was perhaps the first female actress to join the male dominated Nautanki show. A self- trained artiste, from a humble farmer's family of Balpora, born in the Bediya community, Gulab Bai could have been forced into prostitution for source of living, like many other girls of her community. But she chose the harder way out; a challenge for life indeed. She relentlessly trained herself in the art of Nautanki, folk theatre and matured into an an adept actress, who was gifted with a sweet voice, with myriad modulations, fluxions. Padamshree Gulab Bai will be
remembered for her untiring efforts for rejuvenating the eclectic tradition of folk theatre , which had been on the wanes with fresh ideas, themes and innovative stylisitic improvisationsand linguistic nuances. She was honoured with Padam Shree, Sangeet Natak Academy awards among other awards. Her life was synonymous to her name "Gulab" , because until she breathed her last, her vibrant nature and infectious voice kept spreading its fragrance as a Rose.

I am delighted to share my labour of love, which is my lifetime research on this legendary artiste, titled " Ek thi Gulab" : an initiative by Krishna Raghava in collaboration with Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi.