Gulabo Sapera: From Being Buried Alive, To Padma Shri, Here's All About The Kalbelia Dance Legend

Women are the synonym of shakti, i.e. strength. With their willpower, dedication, and hard work, they can even turn the stones into gold. The entire world is celebrating International Women's Day on March 8, 2025. To make this extra special, let us learn about the inspiring story of Gulabo Sapera, whose journey can be said to be the way from the grave to the highest peak of success. 

Gulabo Sapera's journey: from grave to the highest peak of success, she was buried alive

Gulabo Sapera is the epitome of women's empowerment. She was born as Dhanvantari, a name which was given to her as her parents welcomed her on the auspicious day of Dhanteras. She was born back in 1973 in Rajasthan in the Kalbaliya community. Gulabo was the 7th child and the fourth daughter in her family. Well, the women in her community thought her to be a 'burden' to her family and buried her alive within a few hours of her birth.

In an interview with Outlook India, Gulabo shared that her parents didn't have the idea about her being buried alive, and it was several hours later that they got to know about the same. Gulabo's mom then moved to the woods where her then-just-born daughter was buried and saved her after five or six hours. Gulabo said:

"As you know, I was buried alive by the women of my community as I was the fourth daughter born to my parents. My father was not around and even my mother did not know about it. When my mom came to know about it from my aunt, she went to the site where they had buried me. She had a firm belief that even after five to six hours of being buried, I would be alive."

Gulabo Sapera was moved by the dances of snakes, and her father changed her name

Gulabo's father was very protective of her, and he would carry her around with him whenever he would go out for work. Her father was a snake charmer. Gulabo was moved by the dance of the snakes and the way they would move their flexible bodies. By the age of one and a half years old, Gulabo started dancing like the snakes and she found her interest in dancing and music of been. In an interview, Gulabo said that her father would often give her the leftover milk that the villagers used to give to the snakes.

Well, when she turned six years old, new challenges began as the girls of her community were not allowed to dance. Gulabo's father was warned that he would be expelled if his daughter continued to dance, and being protective of her safety, her father put her under house arrest. Dancing like the snakes to the sound of been became an addiction for Gulabo, and when it was taken away from her she got ill. To cure her, her father took her to Ajmer Dargah, and when she lay down there motionless, a rose petal fell on her chest, and she started moving, which made her father change her name to Gulabo.

Gluabo Sapera was put under house arrest, but her overwhelming passion took her to her destined success

It was Gulabo's mom who came to her rescue and started taking her to small programs, wherein she would perform, and help her family financially. At the age of eight, Gulabo got a chance to perform in Pushkar Mela, wherein she was noticed by some members of the Rajasthan Tourism Department. She was asked to come to Jaipur for performances. Well, it was the beginning of her starry journey. After that, she bagged several opportunities. Kalbelia dance is a famous folk dance now, which began with Gulabo. Not only the dance form but the costume was designed by Gulabo herself, which is now a hallmarked costume for this folk dance.

At the age of 13, she travelled to America to perform in Washington DC. She was also adopted by Maharani Gayatri Devi, who also made her parents understand that Gulabo was not their daughter only but the entire Rajasthan's daughter. Gulabo then became a true inspiration for her community, and she started teaching girls of the same community about Kalbelia dancing. Talking about the same, Gulabo said:

"I was only 13 when I got the opportunity to travel to America to perform in Washington DC. I had a great experience, almost life changing. I was featured by leading newspapers after my performance. That changed my Sapera community's attitude towards a girl child. I started teaching dance to their daughters and everyone started respecting me and my dance. They invited me to their homes and told me that they would never practice female feticide again. I feel overwhelmed to see their daughters supporting them financially today."

Gulabo Sapera bagged Padma Shri and her other achievements

Gulabo Sapera appeared in Bigg Boss, and she has also been a part of Bollywood and Rajasthani movies. She has a huge fan following in abroad. She has collaborated with French artists and made CDs. Reportedly, a book was written about her along with a documentary. Allegedly a street in France even is dedicated to her name. She also reportedly has a school in Denmark. She also started schools like Gulabi Sapera Sangeet Sansthan in Jaipur and another in Pushkar. It was in 2016 when Gulabo was awarded Padma Shri for her contribution to the world of dance. In 2010, UNESCO listed the Kalbelia dance form in the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. She is the owner of several accolades and awards.

Gulabo Sapera's personal life

Gulabo Sapera got married to Shoan Nath at the age of 13, in the year 1986. Sohan is also an artist, and he plays dholak and sings folk songs. The couple has five kids, two sons and three daughters. While one of her sons is married the other one started his own band known as 'Dino Banjara'. Gulabo's daughters are associated with higher education. The couple never has a gender-based division at their home, while Shoan met an accident, Gulabo earned the bread and butter, while he often helped her with household chores.

What do you think about Gulabo Sapera's inspiring story from the grave to the highest peak of success? As she said, every home should have a Gulabo, her story is surely a testament that inspires lakhs of women out there.

Also Read: Who Is Ranya Rao? Kannada Actress, IPS Officer's Daughter, Architect-Husband Arrested, Smuggled Gold

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Get App

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Choose your device Android or IOS (Apple)