05/07/2026
Vithabai Narayangaonkar, the legendary Tamasha artiste who inspired Shraddha Kapoor’s Eetha, was one of Maharashtra’s most celebrated folk performers. Born into a family deeply rooted in Tamasha traditions, she learnt the craft while travelling with performance troupes and eventually became a defining figure in Lavani and folk theatre.
Her life was marked by extraordinary dedication to her art. One of the most famous stories associated with her recounts how she reportedly gave birth backstage during a performance and prepared to return to the stage shortly afterwards. Despite receiving opportunities in cinema, including reported offers from prominent filmmakers, she chose to remain committed to Tamasha and the community that depended on it.
Behind the fame, however, lay years of personal struggles and financial hardships. Though she earned national recognition and presidential honours for her contribution to folk culture, her later years were marked by economic difficulties. Today, Vithabai’s legacy continues to live on as a symbol of resilience, sacrifice and unwavering devotion to traditional Indian performing arts.
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