Shalini Mardolkar

Shalini Mardolkar (15 August 1939 – 7 January 2013) was an Indian actress, singer, playwright, and director known for her work in Hindi, Konkani films, and tiatr productions. In the Konkani theatre scene, she is best known for her portrayal of Mother Mary in J. P. Souzalin's tiatr Saibinnicheo Sat Dukhi.

Early life Shalini Mardolkar was born on 15 August 1939 in Mardol, Goa As Mardolkar matured, her acting prowess reached new heights, and she gained acclaim in the realm of Marathi dramas in Bombay. Her skills extended to the Gujarati theater, where she made contributions. It was in 1949, at the age of approximately 10, that she made her debut on the Konkani stage in Anthony Franklin Coelho's tiatr titled Bhau-Bhoinn (Brother-Sister). Despite her youth, Mardolkar demonstrated talent, holding her own alongside seasoned professionals. In this production, she portrayed a lead role opposite C. Alvares, who was around 29 years old at the time. Mardolkar's performance was further enriched by her duet with Anthony Mendes. Her maiden appearance left an impression on tiatr enthusiasts, thereby securing her a position in the tiatr field. It was C. Alvares who reintroduced Mardolkar to Konkani tiatrs through his own production, Vojem (Burden). This marked the beginning of her popularity among tiatr audiences, who eagerly anticipated her performances. Consequently, Mardolkar became a regular presence in tiatrs directed by tiatrists such as J. P. Souzalin, Jacinto Vaz, Anthony D'Sa, Robin Vaz, Prem Kumar, M. Boyer, Alfred Rose, and others. Her versatility as an actress, coupled with her ability to portray diverse roles across a range of tiatrs, solidified her as one of the popular tiatr artists of her time.

Mardolkar as Mother Mary (right) in J. P. Souzalin's Saibinnicheo Sat Dukhi Mardolkar's artistic contributions extended beyond the confines of her religious convictions. During the Lenten season, religious dramas were traditionally staged in both Goa and Bombay. A highlight in her career was her portrayal of Mother Mary in J. P. Souzalin's religious tiatr (theater performance) titled Saibinnicheo Sat Dukhi (Our Lady's Seven Dolours), which took place in Mapuçá, Goa in 1963. Mardolkar's depiction of Mother Mary garnered critical acclaim and earned her recognition within the tiatr community. Her rendition of the popular lullaby/song "Dhol Mojea Bai" (Rock my baby) in Frank Fernand's film Nirmon (1966) solidified her status as a singer and actress. The song, specifically composed for Mardolkar, continues to be played on HMV Records and audio tapes.

Awards Mardolkar was honored with the "best actress award" for her performance in the Konkani film Nirmon (1966) by the Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, at the State Awards for Films. Additionally, she was recognized with the "Lifetime Contribution to Tiatr Award" by the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) in 2009.