Sulagitti Narasamma: The Selfless Midwife Who Became a Lifeline for Rural Mothers

India has produced countless unsung heroes whose contributions transformed society without attracting widespread attention. One such remarkable personality was Sulagitti Narasamma, a traditional midwife from Karnataka whose lifelong dedication saved thousands of mothers and newborns. Without a formal medical degree, modern equipment, or financial resources, she devoted more than 70 years of her life to providing free maternity care in remote villages where hospitals and trained doctors were unavailable.

Her extraordinary commitment to humanity earned her the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 2018. Sulagitti Narasamma’s life remains an inspiring example of compassion, service, and the power of traditional knowledge when combined with experience and empathy.

Early Life

Sulagitti Narasamma was born in 1920 in Krishnapura village of Pavagada Taluk, located in present-day Tumakuru district of Karnataka. She belonged to a humble rural family and grew up in an era when education and healthcare facilities were extremely limited in villages.

Like many girls of her generation, Narasamma never attended school and remained illiterate throughout her life. She was married to Anjinappa at the age of just 12. Despite the hardships of rural life, she raised a large family, giving birth to 12 children, although four of them died during childhood.

Her difficult personal experiences helped her understand the challenges faced by pregnant women in villages, motivating her lifelong mission of helping mothers during childbirth.

Learning the Art of Midwifery

Narasamma inherited her knowledge from her grandmother, Marigemma, who was herself an experienced traditional midwife. Rather than learning from textbooks or medical colleges, she mastered childbirth practices through observation, practical experience, and years of assisting senior midwives.

At around the age of 20, she assisted in her first delivery when her aunt went into labor. That successful experience marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey that would continue for more than seven decades.

She gradually learned to:

• Identify the baby’s position inside the womb.
• Monitor the health of pregnant women.
• Recognize complications during labor.
• Prepare traditional herbal remedies.
• Comfort anxious mothers throughout childbirth.

Her calm nature, confidence, and deep understanding of pregnancy made her highly respected in surrounding villages.

Serving Rural Karnataka

During much of the twentieth century, many villages in Karnataka lacked hospitals, ambulances, or trained obstetricians. Pregnant women often had no choice but to rely on traditional birth attendants.

Sulagitti Narasamma became the trusted caregiver for countless families across rural Karnataka. She would travel long distances, often on foot, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions, whenever someone needed assistance.

What made her service even more remarkable was that she never charged any fee.

Families from poor backgrounds were never turned away. For Narasamma, helping bring a child safely into the world was not a profession but a sacred responsibility.

Over the years, she became affectionately known as “Janani Amma”—the Mother of Mothers.

More Than 20,000 Safe Deliveries

Throughout her lifetime, Sulagitti Narasamma is credited with assisting in more than 20,000 childbirths without charging money. Her service spanned over 70 years, making her one of India’s most respected traditional midwives.

Her remarkable success was built on:

• Years of practical experience.
• Deep understanding of maternal health.
• Personal care for every expectant mother.
• Patience and emotional support during labor.
• Traditional knowledge passed down through generations.

Although she lacked formal medical training, she understood the importance of hygiene, careful monitoring, and knowing when situations became risky.

Her work demonstrated how experienced community caregivers played a vital role in rural healthcare before widespread medical infrastructure became available.

Traditional Knowledge and Compassion

Narasamma believed childbirth should be treated with patience and dignity.

She carefully observed pregnant women during pregnancy and often advised families on nutrition, rest, and overall health. She also prepared traditional herbal medicines believed to support mothers before and after childbirth.

Villagers admired her ability to detect the baby’s position simply by examining the mother’s abdomen and checking the fetal pulse manually.

Her reputation spread across neighboring districts, and many families preferred her assistance because of her calm demeanor and successful track record.

National Recognition

For decades, Sulagitti Narasamma quietly served society without expecting recognition.

Only later in life did governments and organizations begin acknowledging her exceptional contribution to maternal healthcare.

Among the major honors she received were:

• Karnataka State Government’s D. Devaraj Urs Award (2012)
• Kittur Rani Chennamma Award (2013)
• Karnataka Rajyotsava Award (2013)
• National Citizen Award (2013)
• Honorary Doctorate from Tumkur University (2014)
• Padma Shri (2018), India’s fourth-highest civilian award

Receiving the Padma Shri at nearly 98 years of age brought nationwide attention to her extraordinary lifetime of service.

Padma Shri Recognition

When the Government of India announced the Padma Awards in 2018, Sulagitti Narasamma became one of the most celebrated recipients.

Images of the elderly village midwife receiving the prestigious honor from the President of India touched millions across the country.

Her recognition highlighted an important message: true service does not always require wealth, formal education, or fame. Dedication and compassion can create an impact that lasts for generations.

The Padma Shri also drew attention to the invaluable contribution of traditional healthcare workers in underserved rural communities.

Final Years and Passing

In late 2018, Narasamma’s health deteriorated due to chronic lung disease. She was admitted to hospitals in Karnataka for treatment but passed away on 25 December 2018 in Bengaluru at the age of 98.

The Karnataka government honored her with full state honors during her final rites, reflecting the immense respect she had earned through decades of humanitarian service.

Thousands of people remembered her not only as a Padma Shri awardee but as the woman who had helped bring generations of children safely into the world.

Lasting Legacy

Sulagitti Narasamma’s legacy extends far beyond awards and recognition.

She demonstrated that:

• Compassion can overcome the absence of resources.
• Traditional knowledge has historical significance when practiced responsibly.
• Community service can transform thousands of lives.
• Rural women have played a critical role in India’s healthcare system.

Today, her story is frequently cited as an example of grassroots healthcare and selfless social service. She continues to inspire healthcare workers, social activists, students, and ordinary citizens across India.

Her life also reminds policymakers of the importance of improving maternal healthcare access in remote regions while respecting the valuable contributions made by experienced community caregivers.

Conclusion

Sulagitti Narasamma’s journey from an illiterate village woman to a Padma Shri awardee is one of India’s most inspiring stories of humanitarian service. For more than seven decades, she dedicated herself to protecting mothers and newborns, asking for nothing in return.

Her work touched thousands of families and proved that genuine service is measured not by titles or wealth but by the number of lives improved through kindness and dedication.

Even years after her passing, Sulagitti Narasamma remains a powerful symbol of compassion, humility, and unwavering commitment to humanity. Her remarkable life continues to inspire future generations to serve society with empathy, courage, and selfless devotion.