Karnataka midwife honored for decades of service
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Sulagitti Narasamma, a traditional midwife from Karnataka, India, spent nearly seventy years assisting women with childbirth in rural communities.
Born in 1920, Narasamma learned midwifery from her grandmother, Marigamma, and continued the practice despite facing social and caste-based obstacles. She travelled extensively to reach women in labour, often assisting with difficult deliveries and sharing knowledge of herbal remedies. Narasamma’s work began when she was a young teenager, stepping in to deliver a baby when other help was unavailable.
She built a reputation for her skill and dedication, with families seeking her out and travelling long distances to receive her care. Despite some family members viewing midwifery as undesirable and facing restrictions related to caste, Narasamma continued to serve women across social boundaries. Beyond delivering babies, Narasamma also advised women on diet, breastfeeding, and rejected the practice of blaming women for infertility, believing both partners should be considered.
She received several awards for her service, including the Vayoshreshtha Samman in 2013, an honorary doctorate in 2014, and the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian award, in 2018. Narasamma passed away in 2018 at the age of 98, leaving behind a legacy of compassionate care and traditional knowledge.
