Ramabai Bhimrao Ambedkar (7 February 1894 – 27 May 1935) was the wife of B. R. Ambedkar, who said her support was instrumental in helping him pursue his

higher education Tertiary education (higher education, or post-secondary education) is the educational level following the completion of secondary education. The World Bank defines tertiary education as including universities, colleges, and vocational schools ...

and his true potential. She has been the subject of many biographical movies and books. Several landmarks across India have been named after her. She is also known as ''Ramai'' (Mother Rama).

Early life

Ramabai was born in a poor family to Bhiku Dhotre (Valangkar) and Rukmini. She lived with her three sisters and a brother, Shankar, in the Mahapura locality within the village of Vanand near Dapoli Ratnagiri. Her father earned his livelihood by carrying baskets of fish from Harnai Bunder & Dabhol harbour to the market. Her mother died when she was young and, after her father also died, her uncles Valangkar and Govindpurkar took the children to

Bombay Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial centre, financial capital and the list of cities i ...

to live with them in

Byculla Byculla (ISO: Bhāykhaḷā; pronunciation: ʱaːjkʰəɭaː is an area of South Mumbai. Location Byculla is neighboured by Nagpada and Mumbai Central and Mahalaxmi on the west; Agripada, Jacob Circle on the north-west: Chinchpokli to t ...

market.

Marriage

Ramabai married Bheemrao in 4 April 1906 in a very simple ceremony in the vegetable market of

, Mumbai. Like her spouse Dr. Ambedkar, exact birth year of Mrs. Ramabai is not documented. Older records tell varied birth date and year. Mr. Dhananjay Kheer tells age Nine at which she was married to Bheemrao. At the time, Ambedkar was aged 15 and Ramabai was Nine. Some records tell she was 12 and Bheemrao was 15. His affectionate name for her was "Rāmu", while she called him "Saheb". They had five children – Yashwant, Gangadhar, Ramesh, Indu (daughter) and Rajratna. Apart from Yashwant (1912–1977), the other four died in their childhood.

Death

Ramabai died on 27 May 1935 at Rajgruha in Hindu Colony, Dadar, Bombay, after a prolonged chronic illness. She had been married to Ambedkar for 29 years.

Credit by her husband

B. R. Ambedkar's book ''Thoughts on Pakistan'', published in 1941, was dedicated to Ramabai. In the

preface __NOTOC__ A preface () or proem () is an introduction to a book or other literature, literary work written by the work's author. An introductory essay written by a different person is a ''foreword'' and precedes an author's preface. The preface o ...

, Ambedkar credits her with his transformation from an ordinary ''Bhiva or Bhima'' to Dr Ambedkar.

Influence and in popular legacy

Ramabai's life has been featured in the following:

Movies, televisions and drama

* ''Ramai'', a 1992 drama directed by Ashok Gawali * ''Bhim Garjana'', a 1990 Marathi film directed by Vijay Pawar, the role of Ramabai Ambedkar was played by Prathama Devi. * ''Yugpurush Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar'', a 1993 Marathi film directed by Shashikant Nalavade, the role of Ramabai Ambedkar was played by Chitra Koppikar. * '' Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar'', a 2000 English film directed by Jabbar Patel, the role of Ramabai Ambedkar was played by Sonali Kulkarni. * ''

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (Bhīmrāo Rāmjī Āmbēḍkar; 14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956) was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer and political leader who chaired the committee that drafted the Constitution of India based on t ...

'', a 2005 Kannada film directed by Sharan Kumar Kabbur, the role of Ramabai Ambedkar was played by Tara Anuradha. * ''

Ramabai Bhimrao Ambedkar Ramabai Bhimrao Ambedkar (7 February 1894 – 27 May 1935) was the wife of B. R. Ambedkar, who said her support was instrumental in helping him pursue his B. R. Ambedkar#Education, higher education and his true potential. She has been the subj ...

'', a 2011 Marathi film directed by Prakash Jadhav, the role of Ramabai Ambedkar was played by Nisha Parulekar. * '' Ramabai'', a 2016 Kannada film directed by M. Ranganath, the role of Ramabai Ambedkar was played by Yagna Shetty. * ''Dr. Ambedkar'', a Hindi television series aired on

DD National DD National (formerly DD1) is an Indian state-owned entertainment television channel, founded by the Government of India, owned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It is the flagshi ...

. * ''Garja Maharashtra'' (2018–19), a Marathi television series aired on Sony Marathi. * '' Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar - Mahamanvachi Gauravgatha'' (2019), a Marathi television series airing on Star Pravah starring Shivani Rangole as Ramabai Ambedkar while Mrunmayi Supal portrayed the young version of the character.

Books

* ''Ramai'', by Yashwant Manohar * ''Tyagawanti Rama Mauli'', by Nana Dhakulkar, Vijay Publications (Nagpur) * ''Priya Ramu'', by Yogiraj Bagul, Granthali Publication

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ambedkar, Ramabai Bhimrao 1898 births 1935 deaths 20th-century Indian women 20th-century Indian people Spouses of Indian politicians Ramabai Bhimrao Women from Maharashtra People from Ratnagiri district