The Real Woman Behind the Story of Gangubai Kathiawadi

Highlights

Gangubai was deceived and sold to a brothel by her husband for Rs. 500.

She started as a sex worker and eventually became the rakhi sister of Karim Lala.

She was known as the “Madam of Kamathipura” for being an influential pimp with underworld connections.

She was the only brothel madam who gave importance to women but not money.

Even today, the statue of Gangubai is set up in Kamathipura and her pictures still can be seen on the walls of Kamathipura.

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Gangubai Kathiawadi is a biographical crime film which will be Alia Bhatt’s first project with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The film is based on the real-life of a famous brothel owner and matriarch mafia queen “Gangubai”.

Gangubai Kathiawadi’s life has been chronicled in a chapter devoted to her, in the book “Mafia Queens of Mumbai”, written by the best-selling novelist S Hussain Zaidi.

While the most awaited Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Gangubai Kathiawadi’s teaser has been making rounds on social media, it has also created anxiety among the fans about the real story behind Gangubai Kathiawadi.

Who is Gangubai?

The real name of Gangubai was Ganga Harjivandas Kathiawadi. Born into a prestigious family of lawyers and teachers in Kathiawar in Gujarat, in 1939, she aspired to become an actress in childhood.

She fell in love with her father’s accountant, Ramnik Laal at the age of 16 and left her family for her husband. She fled to Mumbai with the hope of starting a new life with her husband, but her life turned upside down when she was deceived and sold to a brothel by him for Rs. 500. She had no choice but to embrace the ways of destiny and swing it in her favor.

The Sister of Don

She started as a sex worker in Kamathipura. Being violently abused by a member of mafia don Karim Lala, she sought her revenge by reporting to Karim Lala and demanded justice for her. She eventually became the sister of Karim Lala by tying him a rakhi and securing her safety.

She soon became one of the most well-paid commercial sex workers and was the most feared and respected sex worker in Kamathipura, Mumbai.

Madam of Kamathipura

She began to develop strong ties with the Mumbai underworld under the influence of the don, Karim Lala, and came to be known as the “Madam of Kamathipura” for being an influential pimp in the city with connections with criminals, peddling drugs, and murders.

At a young age, she won the local gharwali elections held to determine ranks among the sex workers of Kamathipura and called herself “Gangubai Kathewali”, a corruption of the word kothewali. The steps taken by Gangubai for the improvement of the sex workers community made her ‘The queen of Kamathipura.’

She was the only brothel owner to own a black Bentley during those times.

An Advocate of Sex Workers Rights

Gangubai Kathiawadi is a truly empowered woman and fought for the recognition of sex workers. Gangubai, herself being a victim of the prostitution trade, was known to be compassionate towards other women and used her influence for the empowerment of sex workers and advocated for their rights.

Despite being a brothel owner, she cared for sex workers like a mother. She was an ardent supporter of her fellow females in the business and never forced any girl into prostitution without their consent.

“Gangubai was known as the only brothel madam who gave importance to women but not business or money.”

She maintained and operated many brothels in the red-light district of the city and earned the title President of Kamathipura. She was the first woman to open a franchise of brothels and different cities of the country.

She even approached Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to discuss the difficulties encountered by sex workers in India.

Even today, the statue of Gangubai is set up in Kamathipura and her pictures still can be seen on the walls of Kamathipura.

With Alia Bhatt and Ajay Devgan starring in the lead roles, the film is ready to hit the theatres on 30 July 2021.

Highlights

Dysmenorrhea or cramps are one of the most common side effects of menstruation.

If cramps affect one’s ability to do everyday activities, seeking medical advice as soon as possible is advisable.

Normalisation of pain during periods can lead to people going undiagnosed from conditions such as endometriosis.

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The experience of having periods differs from menstruator to menstruator. For many, the menstrual cycle typically starts between the ages of 11 and 14, with the average cycle being around 28 to 34 days. It can be light and painless for some while heavy and painful for others, but what might be completely normal for one might just be a cause of concern for the other. While some side effects during one’s period are considered usual, it is important to remember that one shouldn’t accept all pain during their menstrual cycle as normal and acceptable.

Dysmenorrhea or cramps are one of the most common side effects of menstruation. Cramps during periods are caused by an excess of a hormone-like compound called prostaglandins, which is released from the endometrium (uterine lining) as it prepares to be shed. It helps the uterus contract and relax so that the uterine lining can break down and flow out of one’s body. If the uterus contracts strongly, blood flow is reduced, and the supply of oxygen to the uterus muscle tissue decreases, causing one to have painful cramps. If a typical painkiller isn’t enough to ease the pain of your cramps, and if your cramps affect your ability to do everyday activities, it is best to seek out medical advice as soon as possible.

While many experience pain, normalisation of this pain during periods can lead to people going undiagnosed from conditions such as endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition where the womb’s inner lining develops outside the uterus. According to the Endometriosis Society of India, about 25 million Indian women suffer from endometriosis.

The Endometriosis Society of India states that endometriosis can cause heavy or scanty menstrual flow spotting before the periods and painful sex. Irregular bowel habits such as diarrhoea or constipation can also occur, and a person may also be subjected to pain during passing stool or urine. According to the Endometriosis Society of India, childlessness is associated with endometriosis in about 20- 40 percent of the cases. Endometriosis can be diagnosed by MRI, ultrasound, and transvaginal scans and treated medically or surgically.

It’s high time we start talking about periods and period pain more openly. This #MenstrualHygieneDay, #Infano along with #TheLogicalIndian, is addressing nuanced conversations on period centering on the well being of the menstruators as they power through every day.

The information provided in the article, while collated with utmost care and caution, does not amount to any medical diagnosis. The Logical Indian and Infano team urge people to reach out to their medical practitioner in case of any query that they may have.