Work Experiences

Duniya Ek Tamasha, Filmed in Malad

Supporting Actress & Singer

Filmed & released in 1942.

Studio: Saubhagya Pictures

Director: Dwarka Khosla

Lead Actress: Sardar Akhtar

Lead Actor: W. M. Khan, aka Wazir Mohammed Khan (Star of Alam Ara)

Actor in a Comic Role: Gope

Other Actors: Shyam, Urmila

I only shot a single scene in one day. It was my solo song, “Main Maina Jungle Ki Maina.” We recorded it live with the orchestra on the set.

We went to Bhuleshwar in South Mumbai to shop. I sat in the car for the first time after the Assistant Director picked me up from King Circle. He picked up a Parkar Polka that I liked. After that, we headed to Dadar for hair and makeup. It was a simple 2 Veni hairstyle that was popular at the time. From there, we went to Malad to shoot. Malad-Goregaon was a jungle back then, and there was no film-city like today.

My scene was with a famous comedy actor named Gope. The act went like this: he asked me to point out a house while feeding me sweets. Then I sing the song while dancing from one side of the tree branch to the other.

Both my vocals and acting were recorded at the same time. After the take, everyone on set appreciated the song. Gope was also touched and liked my performance.

After the shoot, the assistant director dropped me off at my home at King’s Circle. The neighbours and family were astonished when they saw me coming out of the car!

After the film premiered in the theatre, my recording got huge acknowledgement from fellow singers, musicians, cast, and crew.

Sita Swayamvar

Declined the role of Sita, Lead Actress

Filmed in 1947 & released in 1948.

Studio: Shri Vijay Pictures

Director: A. R. Sheikh

Lead Actress: Baby Shakuntala

I was offered the lead role of Sita by Balakram and Bharat Bhushan. They came to my residence at Girgaon by motorcar, which was very rare at the time. I was surprised and was alone at home. Balakram said,

“आम्हाला सीता तुमच्या एवढीच दाखवायची आहे, तर तुम्ही हा रोल कराल का?”

(We wish to show Sita just like you. Will you do this role?)

I was taken aback by the sudden turn of events. I took a little time to think; and told them my schooling and education were going on, so I won’t be able to give sufficient time to your film.

My sister Lalita (Actress Lata Rao) and I had experienced that film personalities usually lacked professionalism and never gave the dues on time. I detested such people, so I focused on my education from that time. I decided not to work in films anymore, and Anna and Lata supported it.

Guru Dutt Movies Pvt. Ltd.

Typist

May 1952 (Official wedding date of Guru Dutt: May 26, 1953.)

I was interviewed by the legendary filmmaker Guru Dutt at his office in Vijaynagar Building (Residential), Dadar West.

On my first day in the office, Mr. Dutt dictated a story of his movie - most probably Baaz (1953) or Aar Paar (1954), and I worked as a typist. It was an excellent first day at a new job. The next day, when I went to the office, there was a big lock on the door. I thought I might have come too early. I waited for a while, but no one was there. I saw the neighbour, probably a housewife, and asked her why the office was locked. She was surprised I didn’t know Mr. Dutt and Geeta Roy were getting married that day!

Since I couldn’t depend on Mr. Dutt, I got another job in the next few days.

Small Private Firm, Ballard Pier

Typist

3-4 Days in May, 1952

I was already approved for a government job in the Mercantile Marine Department. I hesitantly showed this letter to my boss. He advised me that it was better to join a government job than work in a private firm, so I left this job and joined the government office.

Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Govt. of India, Old Office at Commerce House, later shifted to the current office at Queen’s Road

Short-hand Typist & Clerk.

June 1952 - 1964

I was honoured to be the 1st lady working in the Mercantile Marine Department in Bombay (Mumbai). Having a government job gave me stability in my career.

I got a joining salary of Rs. 200 in hand, excluding PF, etc. (Around Rupees 3150 after inflation in 2022.) I gave half the salary to my mother, and she kept a Hundred Rupees for me.

I had a great work environment, and my seniors were very encouraging in my endeavours in dance and music. Being a typist with a speed of 48 words per minute on a manual typewriter, I could follow the dictation precisely in real-time. So my seniors and colleagues would appreciate me a lot.

One day, Mr. Gupta, the Principal Officer in MMD, received a letter from the Secretariat. It said that one of his staff members, Ms. Malti Pantambekar (that’s me), had been selected to participate in the Republic Day Parade on January 26, 1953. (Mr. Vasant Deshmukh was my college classmate and a Liaison Officer at the Secretariat.) So I had a golden chance to garland the President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

Mr. Gupta heavily praised this selection and later framed my photograph in his room at his desk.

After a great time at MMD for 12 years, I resigned in 1964 to take care of my two children, born in 1961 & 62.

MY SCHEDULE WHEN WORKING & ATTENDING COLLEGE FROM 1952 TO 1956:

Morning

5:30

Wake up.

6:00

Leave home. Take a bath at night before bedtime, so it is possible to leave on time.

6:30

Take the train from Matunga Road.

7:15

Reach Churchgate and walk 15 Min. To reach college.

7:30 - 10:00

Attend lectures at college.

10:30

Walk from Sir Phirozshah Mehta Road to Ballard Pier and reach the office by 10:30 am.

- - -

A lot of times, I was the first one to reach the office. My colleagues often commented that I inculcate punctuality among peers. Our Principal officer Mr. Gupta always used to doubt that I used to bunk my lectures to come precisely on time! He specifically gave me the freedom to go to work at my chosen time but never to miss out on studies and classes. But still, I refrained from taking the liberty of this. All my colleagues never made me feel that I was the first female employee in MMD!

- - -

Afternoon

1:00 - 2:00

Lunchtime. Usually, I used to have snacks from a nearby canteen, after having tea with 4 big chapatis at 5:30 am. :)

5:30

Leave the office while walking from Ballard Pier to Churchgate railway station.

6:00 - 6:45

Train from Churchgate to reach Dadar West.

Evening

7:00 - 8:30

Typing with shorthand in Lakshmi Typing Institute.

9:30 - 10:30

Walk from Tulsi Pipe Road to Mahim to finally reach home. After having tea, I walked to Shivaji park for music class to learn from Guru Vasundhara Shrikhande. Learning music after this hectic day was very relaxing for me.

Night

11:00

Dinner. The Punjabi lady who was our neighbour would invite me for companionship. She used to lovingly offer me a glass of milk and would insist that I do all my studies there as our home was small.

12:00 - 4:00

College studies.

4:00 - 5:30

Finally, a good night’s sleep!

- - -

Mulund Vidyamandir, Mulund West

Music Teacher

June 1978 - April 1979

I grabbed the opportunity to resume work in 1978 since all my three children were away from me to pursue their studies.

My eldest daughter Manju was at her uncle’s place for higher education. Son Bal (Unmesh) was at my sister-in-law’s place to learn the art. And my youngest daughter Sonu (Madhavee) had got admission to a boarding school started by social reformer Maharshi Karve at Hingne. And my better half, Ramchandra’s job as a teacher in the prestigious Balmohan Vidyamandir in Dadar, kept him occupied.

I taught music and dance to the students in Primary Classes till 4th grade. Among many of the folk dances I choreographed, three were telecast on Doordarshan. (The only National TV channel at the time.)

Though I enjoyed my time at the school, I had to leave the job in 1 academic year. I had to appear for the final exam for my Sangeet Visharad (Bachelor’s degree in Indian classical music).

Saraswati Sangeet, Dombivali East

Founder, Indian Classical Music Teaching Institute.

1980 - 2002

I had become known as a music student and composer. One day, A couple of boys requested me to teach music to them in 1980, so I accepted them as disciples and started teaching from my 162 sq. ft. home.

The students started progressing well, and more girls & boys wanted to learn singing and Harmonium from me. I thought of formalizing this process by officially registering an institution called “Saraswati Sangeet” with “Gandharva Mahavidyalaya.” (The Oldest educational organization of Indian classical music.)

Due to the increasing number of students, in 1981, I had to move the classes to a new temporary location called Matru Mandir Sanstha, Shrikhande Wadi, Sangeeta Wadi, in Dombivali East. After 6 months, we could rent a place called ‘Ganpat Niwas’ right opposite Matru Mandir.

Until 2002, I had the pleasure of teaching vocal music and harmonium to more than 50 musicians. I also tried to instill Indian culture in my students through activities such as Saraswati Puja.

Around 5-6 students who started learning from me have formally completed the Sangeet Visharad under my guidance. (Bachelor’s degree in music after 7 annual exams.) Namely:

Lata Khairnar (Vocal), Shishir Lele (Harmonium), Sunita Hinge (Harmonium), Veena Sadafal (Vocal), Rutu Jadhav (Vocal).

Names of notable students who are currently performing: Atul Phadke (Harmonium), Savitri Shekhar (Senior radio performer of Hindustani & Carnatic vocal music), Meenal Gadgil-Datar (vocalist), and Rutu Jadhav (vocalist).

Non-Marathi Senior Citizens

Marathi Teacher

1985-1986, School near Aurora Cinema, Matunga

When Saraswati Sangeet was settling, I taught Marathi to the South Indian community in Matunga and King’s Circle in my spare time. The classes mainly consisted of senior citizens. I liked recommending children’s storybooks as textbooks to them, which they enjoyed very much.

Gandharva Mahavidyalaya

Middle School (Madhyama Pratham & Purna) Examiner

1986-1987, Thane, Panvel & Dombivali

I was honored to judge students’ performances as an examiner in multiple centers at Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in the late 1980s.

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