Venu Chitale was an Indian writer and broadcaster who made significant contributions during World War II. She worked with the BBC’s Indian Section of the Eastern Service and assisted George Orwell. Chitale was also involved in India’s freedom movement.
Early Life and Education
Born on December 28, 1912, in Shirol, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India, Venu Chitale was the sixth of seven siblings. After losing her parents early in life, she was raised by her older siblings. She attended Huzurpaga, one of Pune’s oldest girls’ schools, and later St. Columba High School in Mumbai’s Gamdevi district. Chitale then studied at Wilson College in Mumbai, where she met Afrikaner teacher Johanna Adriana Quinta Du Preez, who became her mentor.
Journey to England
In the mid-1930s, Chitale traveled to England with Du Preez to pursue higher education. She studied at University College London and later at the University of Oxford. During World War II, she volunteered at a local air raid shelter, warning residents of imminent bombings and assisting with rescue missions.
Broadcasting Career with the BBC
In 1940, Chitale joined the BBC’s Indian Section of the Eastern Service as a broadcaster and assistant to George Orwell. She contributed to programs such as “Indian Recipes” and “Kitchen Front,” providing British listeners with Indian culinary insights during a time of food rationing. Chitale also worked on the Home Service, teaching vegetarian cooking when meat was scarce.
Advocacy and Activism
Around 1944, Chitale began working with Krishna Menon at the India League in London, advocating for India’s independence. She formed a close relationship with Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, Jawaharlal Nehru’s sister, and was elected a member of The Asiatic Society. In 1947, after India’s independence, Chitale returned to India and assisted Pandit with refugee women and children in camps set up in Delhi following the Partition.
Literary Contributions
In 1950, Chitale published her first novel, “In Transit,” which depicted three generations of an Indian family during the interwar years. The novel explored the impact of growing nationalism on traditional Indian life. Mulk Raj Anand wrote the preface for the book. Later that year, she married Ganesh Khare, a chartered accountant, and became known as Leela Ganesh Khare. They had a daughter named Nandini Apte.
Legacy and Recognition
Venu Chitale passed away on January 1, 1995, in Mumbai, India. Her life and contributions have been recognized in various forms, including a chapter in Vijaya Deo’s Marathi book “Sakhe Soyare.” In 2017, the BBC produced a video about her, and on December 28, 2023, a Google Doodle celebrated her 111th birthday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Venu Chitale?
Venu Chitale was an Indian writer and broadcaster who worked with the BBC during World War II. She was also an advocate for India’s independence and contributed to various social causes.
What were Venu Chitale’s contributions to the BBC?
Chitale worked as a broadcaster and assistant to George Orwell in the BBC’s Indian Section of the Eastern Service. She contributed to programs that provided British listeners with Indian culinary insights and taught vegetarian cooking during a time of food rationing.
What is Venu Chitale’s novel “In Transit” about?
Published in 1950, “In Transit” depicts three generations of an Indian family during the interwar years, exploring the impact of growing nationalism on traditional Indian life.
How did Venu Chitale contribute to India’s independence movement?
Chitale worked with the India League in London, advocating for India’s independence. After returning to India in 1947, she assisted with refugee women and children in camps set up in Delhi following the Partition.
How is Venu Chitale remembered today?
Venu Chitale’s life and contributions have been recognized through various forms, including a chapter in Vijaya Deo’s Marathi book “Sakhe Soyare,” a BBC video produced in 2017, and a Google Doodle celebrating her 111th birthday on December 28, 2023.
What was Venu Chitale’s role during World War II?
During World War II, Chitale volunteered at a local air raid shelter in England, warning residents of imminent bombings and assisting with rescue missions. She later joined the BBC as a broadcaster, contributing to programs that provided British listeners with Indian culinary insights and taught vegetarian cooking during a time of food rationing.
Venu Chitale’s life was marked by her dedication to public service, her contributions to broadcasting, and her advocacy for India’s independence. Her legacy continues to inspire and remind us of the impact one individual can have on society.