MADE IN SAHITYA SAHAWAS

Memoir of maid who worked for authors is a testament to what can be achieved with hard work and if you surround yourself with good people

- Ashlesha Athavale

The colony of authors in what was once a quiet corner of Bandra East, Sahitya Sahawas, is known for its many noted residents. Most of the works created by them are gems in Marathi literature. Now, there's a book shedding light on the lives of these authors, by none other than a woman who worked for many of them as a domestic help.

Kondabai Lakshman Pardhe was uneducated, but narrated her memories to her son, who recently published them in the book, Mukkampost 10, Phulrani. The book (in Marathi) is also about Kondabai's tough childhood and difficult life that found some stability when she began working in Sahitya Sahawas or kaloni (colony) as she called it.

A few years ago, Siddharth Pardhe, Kondabai's son, had published his memoir, Colony. Her book can be called its prequel. Kondabai, who has passed away, had expressed her desire to talk about her memories after her daughter read out Siddharth's book to her. "I then told her to narrate her memories and we would also publish them. I began this book in 2009. I sat with mother for an hour every day, and wrote what she spoke. I also realized that I did not know much about my mother's life," said Siddharth. But it was not easy. Recalling some painful memories often left Kondabai in tears. "I would stop then and tell her we'll speak later," said Siddharth.