Sophia Wadia Biography 
Sophia Wadia was an Indian theosophist and writer of Columbia origin. She cofounded The Indian Institute of World Culture, Bengaluru. She was also the founder of PEN All India Centre and the founder editor of its journal, The Indian PEN. For her overall contributions social work and services, she has been honoured with fourth civilian honour Padma Shri by government of India in 1960. She organized eleven All India Writers' Conferences during her life time. She passed away on 27 April 1986, at the age of 85.
Sophia Wadia was born in 1901 in Colombia. Her maiden name is Sophia Camac. She was married to B. P. Wadia, an Indian theosophist and labour activist, and a co-founder of Madras Labour Union, one of India's first organised labour unions. She was born into a rich family. She completed her education at Paris, London and New York, and met her future husband while at Europe. She was deeply influenced by his philosophy and got married in 1928. Later she too joined social work and became a theosophist. The couple founded several branches of the United Lodge of Theosophists in various places in Europe, and the first branch in India was opened at Mumbai in 1929.
They also founded the All India Centre of the International P.E.N. in Mumbai in 1930, and also started a few publications. They started The India PEN and The Aryan Path. She served as the editor of The India PEN till her death. She established The Indian Institute of World Culture in 1945 at Basavanagudi and also published two books, The Brotherhood of Religions and Preparation for Citizenship, forewords written by Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi respectively.
Published: January 05, 2020
Updated: January 05, 2020
