JHULLABAI MADAVI (KUMRE) is a revered name for her untiring effort to bring about educational awakening among the tribal people in Vidarbha. She was a great visionary and a hardworking woman. Her work may have faded from memory today, but the history of tribal women’s education in Nagpur would remain incomplete without mentioning her contribution.
Early life and education
Jhullabai Madavi (Kumre) was born on April 1, 1906, into the Kumre family in the old Futala area of Nagpur. That was during the British rule, when there were limitations and restrictions on women’s education. Despite these adverse circumstances, she completed her education up to Class VIII at St. Ursula Girls High School in Civil Lines, Nagpur, from 1912 to 1920. At that time, it was a matter of great pride and unprecedented for a tribal Gond woman to be educated up to the eighth grade. Among the first from the tribal community to receive formal schooling, she went on to become a pioneer in the field of education.
Establishment of Gond Sabha Girls School
In 1926, Jhulabai Madavi, with the support of some philanthropists, established the Gond Sabha Girls School in the Gaddigodam area of Nagpur. The primary objective of this school was to provide education to girls from the tribal community and women from other communities in Nagpur city. She was one of the principal founders of the institution and also its first headmistress. Significantly, she invested her own money to get the school’s two-storied building constructed. Such a bold and visionary move by a tribal woman at that time was deeply inspiring. The school’s historic building still stands proudly today. It now houses a library and study rooms, and is also the venue for several educational and training programs.
Honored as Best Headmistress
On March 6, 1948, the government honored Jhullabai Madavi with the “Best Headmistress” award for her skillful leadership and dedication to education. This honor was in recognition of her work in the field of education and her scholarship. It was a moment of immense pride for the tribal community, especially tribal women.
Imprint of building society
Jhullabai Madavi not only established a school, but also empowered many tribal girls by instilling an interest in education in them. Many students educated under her guidance later served as headmistresses in Nagpur Municipal Corporation and retired after successful stints. Prominent among them are Miss Shakuntala Tukaram Madavi (later Uike), Miss Lalita Tukaram Madavi (later Kobe), Subhadrabai Atram (later Madavi), Jayatulabai Atram (later Masram), Shardabai Dhurve, Satwanti Salam (later Kilankar) and Lilatai Atram. The success of all these women was driven by Jhulabai’s values, interest in education, discipline and dedication to social service.
Tradition of education in family
Jhulabai Madavi had two daughters. Her elder daughter, Kumari Saraswati Daulatrao Madavi (known as Saraswatibai Sitaram Wakde after her marriage), studied up to the eighth grade. She later completed primary school teachers training at Sevasadan Vidyalaya in Nagpur, served as a headmistress with Nagpur Municipal Corporation, and retired in 1981.
The younger daughter, Miss Damayanti Daulatrao Madavi, was one of the first tribal Gond women to pass the SSC examination through English medium at that time. This was a major milestone and a matter of immense pride for the tribal community.
Final journey
Jhullabai Madavi (Kumre), who strived all her life for education, social awakening and empowerment of tribal women, passed away on November 15, 1973. With her passing, the tribal community lost a visionary educationist, a guide and a role model.
Forgotten contribution
Today, her invaluable contribution to women’s education, especially among the tribal community and the tribal Gond community, is hardly appreciated, which is regrettable. Jhullabai Madavi, who dedicated her life to society and shaped many generations, has not received the recognition commensurate with her work. The respect that she deserves should be bestowed upon her by society and by the government.
A true tribute would be if the Government of India officially honors her. Studying her work, documenting the history of the school, and establishing an educational award or memorial in her name would be a fitting tribute to her work.
Jhullabai Madavi was not just the founder of a school, but also a pioneer in the movement for tribal women’s education. Emerging from adverse social circumstances, she worked to transform society through education. Her work is inspiring, glorious and exemplary. Today, there is a need to remember her work and inspire the new generation. A humble salute to such a great educationist.
By Adv. Dadabhau Talpe (retired deputy director, Land Records, Maharashtra)
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