Li Gotami Govinda Biography 
Li Gotami Govinda was an Indian artist, known as a painter, photographer, writer and composer who lived during 22 April 1906 –18 August 1988. Her birth name is Ratti Petit, and she changed her name to Li Gotami Govinda after she embraced Mahayana Buddhism. She travelled to Tibet and gained fame after she converted her religion. She spent more than 12 years at Shantiniketan, where she learnt different kinds of arts, dance and music subjects and earned many diplomas too. She was married to Anagarika Govinda since 1947.
Ratti Petit was born on 22 April 1906 in Mumbai, Maharashtra into a Parsi family. Her family owned a general hospital in Mumbai, then known as Bombay in British Raj. Ratti had two siblings. Ratti Petit travelled extensively across Europe. Then she returned to India in 1930s, after that she fully dedicated her life to the world of art and literature. While working with artist Manishi Dey, she was introduced her to the Bengal School of Art which influenced her a lot. She co-founded the Camera Pictorialists of Bombay in the 1930s.
She had a brief marriage with art collector and critic Karl Khandalavala in the 1930s. In 1934 she moved to Shantiniketan in West Bengal, where she learnt art under artist Nandalal Bose, and she also learnt Manipuri dance. Staying 12 long years at Shantiniketan, she acquired many certificates in art and music forms. She also learnt painting under painter Abanindranath Tagore for 8 years. Impressed by her skills, Tagore mentored her and encouraged her to do religious and children's paintings.
While at Shantiniketan, Petit also studied under Anagarika Govinda, and married him in 1947. Petit converted to Mahayana Buddhism, and adopted the name Li Gotami, against the wish of her parents. In fact her parents were not interested in sending her to Shantiniketan for studies, and used to spy on her. Since 1955 the couple lived on a 40-acre estate in Almora. Anagarika Govinda died in 1985 and his wife, three years later.
Published: November 27, 2018
Updated: November 27, 2018
