AAICHI CHAAYA By vijayanta n chitale

Social Development Foundation, a wing of ASSOCHAM recently conducted study on working parents. Survey found that most fathers felt that a homemaker mother was ideal for upbringing of their off springs. However this viewpoint was not popular with working mothers. This is not gender biased ness but a misunderstood view on Working and Career. Homemaker spouse may not bring in any liquidity at home. However by giving time to partner in contributing to GDP (gross domestic product) of nation, the contribution in terms of time, which is money, is same by both. These equations prevailed in pre independence as well post independence era and continue even in 21 st century. According to Sh V N Dhoot, Chairman of ASSOCHAM, “ With little supervision from parents, children are turning to other options, TV, computer games, DVD and junk food are popular with kids, instead of outdoor activities”. It is interesting to note that even the neo Gen X needs outdoor activities much the same as they were needed fifty years ago. If kids are presently shying away from outdoor activities then so were they then also. It was on the comprehension skills of parents how they could or can overcome pranks played by children, identify their potentials in true sense and mould them into good citizens. This is where Shyamchi Aai holds well even in present times.

"Shyamchi Aai" is one of the greatest works in Marathi literature by Pandurang Sadashiv Sane, better known as Sane Guruji. Sane Guruji {1899-1950} wrote this book in five days while he was detained in jail for participation in the "Civil Disobedience movement". He was a sensitive man with a creative imagination and a prolific writer. ‘Shyamchi Aai’ is a fictionalized account of his childhood years exploring that special bond between mother and child. The book, which has 45 episodes, is about Shyam, a youth living in poverty in Konkan, who recalls his mother’s teachings. The book relies on flashbacks as Sane Guruji tells the stories in homage to a person to whom he owes everything.

Several generations have grown up with the book all over Maharashtra and later on with the landmark film based on the book that went on to win the first President's Gold Medal for the Best Feature Film of the Year. The director was Acharya P. K. Atre who had endeared himself to Marathi audiences everywhere through his singular literary style, humor and his accomplishments in various fields

Shyamchi Aai is to Marathi silver screen what Mother India is to Bollywood.

The movie is in flashback about Yashoda (played by Vanmala) mother of Shyam (played by child artist Madhav Vaze). Yashoda has very tactfully and diplomatically handled Shyam’s naughtiness, stubbornness and pranks. She leaves an all time trail for mothers on how to deal with child’s emotions, fostering sense of culture, dignity and humanity.

When Shyam is in confused state of mind, Yashoda tells him best way to clear mind is by allowing tears to roll down. Tears according to her are gift of God for cleaning mind. Here it is interesting to note what Yashoda said decades ago is now gradually being confirmed by psychological studies that crying is not sole prerogative of ladies. Even men do need cry and also feel much relieved by doing so.

With Lage Raho Munnabhai, Gandhigiri is new lingo of the day. This aspect has vividly being brought out by Acharya Atre in Yashoda’s behavior. Gajanan, elder brother of Shyam, is tired and ask him to massage, which Shyam stubbornly refuses to do. Yashoda says she will massage Gajanan. This makes Shyam sit up and do massage. Here through song Draupadicha Bandhu Shobhe Narayan she brings out picture of siblings relationship and makes Shyam realize his folly. There is no use of force, still Yashoda transforms stubborn Shyam’s mind to subtle and gentle.

When the situation demands, it also means being firm. Shyam tries to hide himself from his pals who call him out for a swim. Shyam is reluctant as he is sacred of water. Yashoda gently beats him as she tells pals to take him off to swim. Shyam though learns to swim yet complains to his father Sadashiv of Yashoda’s beatings. Yashoda unfolds a contrasting trait, can parent tolerate a coward child. To make him brave and strong so that he can take on challenges any time, it is necessary to get harsh with him.

One day Shyam and his pals pluck buds from garden in neighborhood. Yashoda asks him how these flower blossoms. Shyam innocently replies by pouring water on them. Yashoda’s scientific temperament as a mother has been brought out here. She says buds cannot blossom into flower by external watering. This way she satisfies the query in mind of Shyam. Often parents snub their wards for questioning and thus kill their spirit of enquiry that is vital for reasoning, growth and overall development of child into a mature rationale citizen.

Yashods continues to teach Shyam about life by addressing his own problems. One day as Shyam is cleaning his feet’s she says just as you take care of cleaning your feet and not to let them get dirty similarly in life never allow any dirt to stick your mind.

Shyam a typical child prankster mimics their school teacher and even compares him to Yama (god of death) in Chadi Lagey Cham Cham …. This is first song sung by Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar. Though a prankster, Shyam is obedient and adheres to mother’s teachings. At best of Yashoda, Shyam goes out to help a low caste and upon being objected by priest argues that when god does not discriminate then why should I. With reservation issue and communal disharmony taking its toll in our country, these few lines are worth understanding even in present time.


Sadashiv beats Shyam for coming home between semesters. Yashoda while consoling Shyam and explaining why Sadashiv was upset also tells him meaning of religion. Religion she says is doing. And what these doings are, Yashoda has put them in lullaby Neej Neej Bala ….

Now day’s children have a subject of EVS (environmental studies). In the song Ghandat Ranee Vahe… Yashoda has described about nature and environment and also make Shyam understand sun, moon, and sea.

Shyam fails to see Yashoda breathe last and sums up feelings about an ideal mother in
Aai Aai Mhanoni Koni ……!


After all ‘Maa, Aayee, Amma, Mother, Mai...’ in any and all languages is a word that rings up the deepest feelings of love, loyalty, and attachment. A word that implies unconditional love and care. A song in the film ‘Shyamchi Aai’ (Shyam’s Mother) says it all, "Swami teenhi jagancha pan Aayee vina bhikari." (Loose translation: You may be the greatest of this universe but you are only a beggar without a mother).

Overall character of Yashoda is worth understanding in fostering ethos and cultural values even in contemporary times.

Leaving aside patriarchal chauvinistic mindset of Indian society, it is essential for upbringing of child in all times, that during the early stage of student life, involvement of parent is necessary. Students who have atleast one parent at home are more oriented than one with both parents working. Absence of this early orientation can lead to short temperedness, road rage, live in relationship, escalating mindless violence in society All of these stemming from intolerance.


The film like the book highlights the mother's positive attitude and deep faith in God while facing problems in her life and serves to instill moral values in children and youth. An emotional journey, the film is a must in every home and is compulsory viewing for the children of today who are exposed to the materialistic trends of modern society. Even children exposed to today’s mindless television see themselves in these characters and enjoy the ageless quality of the film as they sing "Chhadi laage cham cham" along with Shyam and laugh at his pranks.

This masterpiece of Marathi cinema involving Vanmalabai and Acharya Atre, a memoir of Sane Guruji has been preserved and brought to people’s reach by RUDRAA HOME VIDEO on VCD & DVD. DVD of Shyamchi Aai also contain documentary on Vanmalabai. The music is composed by yet another legendry Vasant Desai.

Call it Almighty’s wish or a coincidence, Vanmalabai and Nargis Dutt who apart from being legends of silver screen were noted social workers, both left for heavenly abode in the month world celebrates MOTHER’S DAY. Both died of cancer…