Chhaya or Chaya (, Chāyā) means shadow or shade. Chhaya is also personified as the goddess of shadow, the consort of Surya, the Hindu sun god. She is the shadow-image or reflection of Saranyu (Sanjna), the first wife of Surya. Chhaya was born from the shadow of Sanjna and replaced Sanjna in her house, after the latter abandoned her husband.

Chhaya is usually described as the mother of Shani, the god of the planet Saturn and a feared ''graha''; goddess Tapti, the personification of river Tapti and a son Savarni Manu, who is destined to be the next and eighth Manu (progenitor of mankind) - the ruler of the next ''Manvantara'' period.

Early Vedic and epic legends

In the ''Rigveda'' (c. 1200-1000 BCE), which is the earliest narrative about the Chhaya-prototype. After the birth of twins from Vivasvan (Surya), Saranyu - the daughter of Vishwakarma - abandons him and flews in form of a mare. The woman the divine Saranyu places in her place is called Savarna ("same-kind"). Unlike the later ''Purana''s where Chhaya is a mere shadow of Saranyu, in the ''Rigveda'', Savarna is of the same-kind as Saranyu, but mortal. Savarna has no children from Surya. A later (500 BCE) addition to the original ''Rigveda'' by Yaska in his ''Nikuta'' says that Manu (the progenitor of mankind, called Savarni Manu in later Puranic text) was born to Savarna. While the original text says "they" (interpreted as the gods) substituted Savarna for Saranyu, Yaksa's ''Nikuta'' tells that Saranyu created Savarna and substituted her. ''Brhad devata'' calls the prototype of Chhaya as Sadrisha ("look-alike"), a woman who looked like Saranyu. ''Sadrsha'' begot Manu by Surya, who became a royal sage.

By the time of the ''Harivamsa'' (c. 5th century CE), an appendix of the epic ''Mahabharata''; Saranyu is called Sanjna and her double is reduced to her shadow or reflection Chhaya. It narrates: that Sanjna after giving birth to three children of the Sun, she abandons him as he looked unlovely, burnt by her own fiery glory. She places her shadow Chhaya in her place, who was created by illusion to take care of her children. Surya mistakes Chhaya for Sanjna and begot Manu upon her. As Manu looked just like his father, he was called Savarni Manu. However, Chhaya, also called ''parthvi'' ("earthly") Sanjna, became partial to her own son and ignored those of Sanjna. Yama, Sanjna's son and god of death, was angry by her behaviour and threatens her by his foot. Chhaya cast a curse on Yama, which revealed to Yama and Surya that Chhaya was not the true Sanjna. Chhaya cursed that Yama's legs would fall away, but Surya reduced this curse so that some parts of Yama's legs would fall and would be consumed by worms on earth. Surya threatens Chhaya with a curse forcing her to reveal the reality. Frightened, she discloses the entire story of her creation. After the revelation of Chhaya, Surya finds Sanjna and brings her back. The text also states that Shani was a brother of Savarni Manu, though his birth is not explicitly stated. According to Wendy Doniger, the substitution of the dark shadow was apt by Saranyu for the dark Surya.

Puranic legends

The ''Markandeya Purana'' tells the tale of Sanjna-Chhaya twice, the tale is similar to that in the ''Harivamsa'', but Sanjna leaves Surya as she is unable to bear his splendour and heat. The curse to Yama is a little different. Yama abuses Chhaya and picks his leg up to kick her. Chhaya curses Yama to have his leg affected with worms and sores. Surya grants Yama, a cock to eat the worms from his leg. In the other telling, the curse is almost same as the ''Harivamsa''. Chhaya also cleverly says that she is Yama's father's wife, but does not say that she is his mother.

The ''Vishnu Purana'' also records the legend similar to ''Markandeya Purana'', but has few differences. Unable to bear Surya's intense heat, Sanjna after giving birth to three children - retires to the forest to practise austerities in form of a mare, leaving his shadow-image Chhaya, her handmaid to take her place and tend for her husband and progeny. Surya mistakes Chhaya for Sanjna and fathers three children on her. Chhaya gives birth to Shani, Savarni Manu and Tapti. However, Chhaya became partial to her own children and ignored those of Sanjna. Yama, suspected the behaviour of who he thought was his mother and offended her. Chhaya cast a curse on Yama (the details of the curse are not disclosed), which revealed to Yama and Surya that Chhaya was not the true Sanjna. After the extracting the truth from Chhaya, Surya finds Sanjna and brings her back.

''Matsya Purana'' also presents a similar account about Chhaya, however the children of Chhaya are named as Savarni Manu a son and two daughters: Tapti and Vishti, who was dark blue colour and a personification of ''Kala'' (Time or Death) who dwells in Hell. Chhaya's tale is also found in the 11th century CE ''Kathasaritsagara''. The ''Markandeya Purana'' records that Chhaya had three sons: Shani, Savarni Manu and Revanta, the divine master of horses. ''Kurma Purana'' describes only Savarni Manu as her son. While in some versions of the tale, Surya abandons Chhaya after knowing the truth about her, Surya deserts Chhaya before bringing back Sanjna, however a contemporary version tells that Chhaya was forgiven and lived with Surya, Sanjna and their children thereafter.

While most accounts consider Chhaya to be the reflection or shadow of Saranyu (Sanjna) - Surya's first wife; ''Bhagavata Purana'' tells that Chhaya was a sister of Sanjna and the daughter of the divine architect Vishwakarma.

''Markandeya Purana'' as well as ''Vishnudharmottara Purana'' prescribe that Surya should be depicted in images with Chhaya and his other wives by his sides.

References

Category:Hindu goddesses

Vikram Gokhale (occasionally credited as Vikram Gokhle) is an well known Indian film, television and stage actor, notable for his roles in Marathi theatre and Hindi films and television. He is the son of another well known veteran Marathi theater and film actor Chandrakant Gokhale, who acted in 68 Marathi and 16 Hindi films besides 64 Marathi plays and several Marathi TV serials over a span of 75 years.

Gokhale is now directing his debut directorial film titled ''Aaghaat''. Produced by Sprint Arts Creation and executive producer Rajesh Damble, the film is based on a story written by Dr Nitin Lavangare. The cast of the film includes actors Mukta Barve and Dr Amol Kolhe and is shot in Pune. The film is getting released on 24 December 2010.

Personal life

Vikram Gokhale has a long family lineage active in Indian film industry. His great grandmother Durgabai Kamat was the first female artiste of the Indian screen, while his grandmother Kamlabai Gokhale (Kamlabai Kamat at that time) was the first female child artiste of Indian cinema. Way back in 1913, Durgabai acted as Parvati and Kamlabai as Mohini in a film by name Mohini Bhasmasur, produced and directed by Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema. His father Chandrakant Gokhale was a veteran Marathi film and stage artist and has acted in over 70 Marathi and Hindi films.

He also runs a real estate firm, Sujata Farms in Pune.

He is also an active social worker. His family has founded an organization about 23 years ago, which provides financial support for disabled soldiers, unaffected kids of leper parents, education of orphan children among other initiatives.

Movies/Theatre

# ''Mission 11 July'' (2010) # ''Aaghaat'' (2010) # ''De Dana Dan'' (2009) # ''Life Partner (film)'' (2009) # ''kalavaramaye Madilo'' (2009) # ''Summer 2007'' (2007) # ''Bhool Bhulaiyaa'' (2007) # ''Gafla'' (2006) # ''Main Aisa Hi Hoon'' (2005) # ''Lucky: No Time for Love'' (2005) # ''Kisna: The Warrior Poet'' (2005) # ''Sau Jhooth Ek Sach'' (2004) # ''Madhoshi'' (2004) # ''Hum Kaun Hai?'' (2004) # ''Ishq Hai Tumse'' (2004) # ''Kahan Ho Tum'' (2003) # ''Love at Times Square'' (2003) # ''Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein'' (2002) # ''Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke'' (2001) # ''Tum Bin... Love Will Find a Way'' (2001) # ''Hadh: Life On the Edge of Death'' (2001) # ''Champion'' (2000) # ''Hey Ram'' (2000) # ''Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'' (1999) # ''Haste Hasate'' (1998) # ''Badmaash'' (1998) # ''Sham Ghansham'' (1998) # ''Andolan'' (1995) # ''Tadipaar''(1995) # ''Jazbaat'' (1994) # ''Laadla'' (1994) # ''Mukta'' (1994) # ''Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi'' (1993) # ''Lapandav'' (Marathi) (1993) # ''Zakhmo Ka Hisaab'' (1993) # ''Balwaan'' (1992) # ''Qaid Mein Hai Bulbul'' (1992) # ''Yaad Rakhegi Duniya'' (1992) # ''Adharm'' (1992) # ''Khuda Gawah'' (1992) # ''Maherchi Sadi'' (1991) # ''Akayla'' (1991) # ''Kalat Nakalat'' (Marathi) (1991) # ''Dharam Sankat'' (1991) # ''Krodh'' (1990) # ''Agneepath'' (1990) # ''Thodasa Roomani Ho Jaayen'' (1990) # ''Eeshwar'' (1989) . # ''Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro'' (1989) # ''Falak (The Sky)'' (1988) # ''Insaaf'' (1987) # ''Sati Naag Kanya'' (1983) # ''Prem Bandhan'' (1979) # ''Swarg Narak'' (1978) -- Cinema Hall Manager # ''Yehi Hai Zindagi'' (1977) # ''Parwana'' (1971) # Khara Sangaycha Tar - Marathi play # Jawai Majha Bhala - Marathi play # Katha - Marathi Play

Television

Jeevan Saathi

Virrudh

Sanjivani(2002)

AlpViram

Mera Naam Karegi Roshan

Kuch khoya kuch paya (Doordarshan)

References

External links

Vikram Gokhale, website

Filmography from Internet Movie Database.

Category:Indian actors Category:Indian television actors Category:Indian stage actors Category:Marathi film actors Category:Hindi film actors Category:Living people Category:Date of birth missing (living people) Category:Place of birth missing (living people)

hi:विक्रम गोखले mr:विक्रम गोखले

__NOTOC__ Jayshree Gadkar () (21 February 1942 – 29 August 2008) was a noted Marathi movie actress and a star of Marathi cinema in the 1960s.

Early life

Jayashree was born in a Konkani speaking family at Kanasgiri (Sadashivad), Karwar, Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India, and began her career as a child dance artist.

Career

She went on to have a film career spanning four decades, starting as a film tamasha dancer, to a lead actress, and then a director. Jayshree acted in about 250 films with a rich repertoire of mythologicals. She was the leading actress in Marathi films. Her first hit was Sangtye Aika. She also published an autobiography, Ashi Mi Jayshri.

She was married to Bal Dhuri.

Filmography

Jayshree Gadkar's first role was that of a group dancer in V. Shantaram's ''Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje'' in 1955 which included Sandhya as the leading lady. Later well known Marathi film Director Dinkar D patil gave Jayshree Gadkar a break in a small role and dance in his Marathi Movie "Disat Tasa Nasat", with Raja Gosavi. This paved her way into mainstream Marathi cinema further Jayshree Gadkar became leading actress in Marathi Film Industry.

Her hits include Aaliya Bhogasi, Ghat Padli Thaka Thaka, Sangtye Aika, Avghachi Sansar, Mohityanchi Manjula, Saadhi Mansa, Gharkul, Chandoba Chandoba Bhaaglas Ka and Manini.

Gadkar turned to movie direction with the release of Saasar Maher and Ashi Asavi Saasu. She also acted in Ramanand Sagar's TV Series Ramayana as Kaushalya (mother of Rama) along with her husband, who was Dasharath (father of Rama). Her home adores with the photo of both in Ramayana costume.

Awards

Jayshree Gadkar has received awards for her part in the films Manini, Vaijantha, Sawal Mazha Aika, and Saadhi Mansa.

References

External links

Jayshree Gadkar in Marathi Movie

Remembering Jayshree Gadkar

Some more pictures from Marathi movies

Category:1942 births Category:2008 deaths Category:National Film Award winners Category:Indian actors Category:Marathi film actors Category:Indian film actors Category:Marathi people Category:People from Uttara Kannada

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