Pramila Dandavate was born on 27 August 1928 born to Janardan and Lakshmibai Karande.[citation needed] Her father was a gynaecologist whose clinic and maternity hospital were located near the Girgaum Chowpatty and who alo served as the President of the Mumbai Obstetrics & Gynecological Society from 1950 to 1952.[citation needed]
Dandavate was associated with the Swastik League during her childhood.[1] The Swastik League was an organisation established by M. R. Jayakar.[2]
Dandavate started her schooling at age 5 and painting was her hobby. The Second World War had started and since Bombay was a part of the British Empire, there were rumours that Bombay could possible be attacked by the Axis powers. As a result, many middle class families from Bombay started sending their families to their ancestral homes in Konkan. Dandavate and her siblings was sent to Malvan and she completed her fourth standard (which was equal to today's eight standard) from the Anant Shivaji Desai Topiwala High School. At that time, Rashtra Seva Dal activists like Dnyaneshwar Deulkar used to hold the shakha and Dandavate started attending it.[1]
After Vinoba Bhave started the Bhoodan movement, Dandavate painted some posters about the movement with the help of her associates. These posters were published in Sadhana (weekly). In view of her dedication and love for art, she was appointed as a teacher at an Art School where she worked for some time. Although Dandavate enjoyed art, she was always attracted towards the Rashtra Seva Dal activities. She also liked dancing and had taken lessons from the accomplished dancer Madame Menaka, alsk known as Leila Sokhey.[1]
