On a Creative path of expression at 66

An inspiring story of Anjali Godbole (Khyaal Club Member)

“My name is Anjali Godbole, and I am 66 years old. I was born in Solapur and brought up in Mumbai. I did my schooling from Mahatma Gandhi Vidya Mandir, Bandra Government Colony and later studied at Ruparel College. I completed my MA and then B.Ed in Nagpur. I also completed MS in Counselling, which was conducted by the World Health Organisation. Then, after marriage, my world became my home and my children. My husband is an engineer, so we later shifted to Pune in 1994 due to his transfer. There, I worked as a school teacher for three years and later became a lecturer at a junior college.

When I sit quietly and look back at my life today, I feel that curiosity has always been a part of me. In those days, there was no television at home. The radio was our only window to the world. I still remember listening to an English newsreader named ‘Jyothika Ratnam’. Her voice impacted me deeply. I often wondered how just a voice could leave such a deep impact. Even during my school days, I took part in dancing and other stage activities, and often received important roles. After marriage, I slowly began participating in small competitions whenever I got the opportunity.

When we moved to Pune, I felt a quiet redirection in my life. I started doing one-act plays and storytelling. Whenever I read about competitions in the newspapers or heard about them from someone, I would register without giving it a second thought. By the grace of God, I went on to win 23 State-Level Awards in acting and storytelling. Each performance felt like a conversation with myself. A major turning point came when I participated in a competition held by an organisation named ‘Abhinay’ at Karjat. I won the first prize. Dr. Girish Oak, who is one of the finest Marathi actors, was the chief guest that day. He appreciated my performance and encouraged me to audition for Smita Talkwakar ji’s serial, ‘Avantika.’ I had never done anything like that before, but I gathered courage and went for the audition. And luckily, I was selected. I still remember the warmth with which Smita ji hugged and welcomed me. That moment truly changed my life.

From there, my journey in television slowly began. For nearly eleven years, I worked in many Marathi serials like ‘Vadalvaat,’ ‘Soniyacha Umbra,’ ‘Khel Sanchitacha,’ ‘Chakradhar,’ ‘Abhimaan,’ ‘Kalay Tasmai Namah,’ ‘Lakshya’ and Hindi serials like ‘Savdhaan India’ and ‘CID.’ Each role, big or small, taught me something new about the art of acting and even about life. One of the roles that remains very close to my heart was in ‘Upanishad Ganga,’ which aired on ‘DD National,’ and was produced and directed by Dr. Chandra Prakash Dwivedi, where I played the role of a brothel owner. It was a challenging character, filled with pain and truth. People appreciated it deeply, and I felt seen as an actor. Those moments made me believe in myself.

After COVID, my path shifted once again, this time towards radio. Today, I work as a voiceover artist. I do radio dramas and informational advertisements. Working only with my voice feels peaceful. It feels honest. Along with this, I conduct workshops for children. I teach them how to use their voice, where to pause, and how to speak with confidence. I see children open up and express themselves freely. Watching this fills my heart with joy. It feels good to know that I can help people in my own small way.

Around this time in my life, when I was exploring new ways to express myself and stay connected with people, I came across 50 Above 50 - India’s Biggest Senior Talent Hunt on Facebook. When Rohini ji spoke about it, I felt an immediate sense of trust. The idea really touched my heart. At first, I thought 50 only meant age. But when I learned about the 50 different categories, I was truly surprised. It felt like someone had created a space where seniors could be seen, heard, and celebrated. Luckily, the deadline was extended, and I decided to go for the live audition. From the very beginning, the team made me feel comfortable. They spoke softly and explained everything with patience. I never felt judged or hurried.

When I was told that I had become a finalist in two categories- ‘Storyteller of the Year’ and ‘Best Actor of the Year’, I could hardly believe it. It was a national-level platform, and at this stage of my life, it meant a great deal to me. The story I performed was written by Sachin Vasant Patil. When I won, I called him and told him that his story had reached a national platform. That moment meant a lot to both of us.

Voting was also a completely new experience for me. I was not very familiar with technology, but no one ever made me feel uneasy. My husband and my friends supported me throughout. I requested everyone around me to vote. My neighbours, family members, students, and even my house help came forward with full warmth and love.

After the voting was done, the main event days came on 15th and 16th November. When I reached the venue, I had no idea that I was the winner. I watched others go on stage and quietly imagined myself there. The event was beautifully managed. Everything was senior-friendly and carefully planned. There was no confusion anywhere, and I felt comfortable at every step. When the anchor began announcing the award for Storyteller, my heart started beating fast. I felt nervous and excited at the same time. I was honoured with the first prize for the Storyteller category!! It truly felt unreal when Geeta ma’am, the jury member for my category, announced my name. And even watching her present her talent on stage gave me immense motivation. When I finally received my certificate, medal, trophy and cash prize, I felt overwhelmed. But more than the award, I felt respected. Even today, people call me after seeing small clips of the event and tell me they feel inspired. That means more to me than anything else. Through this journey, I became a part of the Khyaal community. The warmth, respect and care shown to seniors made me feel truly valued. Everything is thoughtfully done to make seniors feel comfortable.

Winning at 50 Above 50 has given me new hope and energy!! I wish to explore my talents and look forward to doing more. My advice to my fellow senior citizens is simple: Life does not end after 50. There are still dreams waiting to be lived. Take the first step, even if it feels scary; your journey is not over yet.” - Anjali Godbole (Khyaal Club Member)