Main Gudd Ki Dali

Helen Ann Richardson was born on 14th July 1938. Her mother’s name was Marlene who was a half-Spanish half-Burmese woman. Helen in her interview to Filmfare magazine (1964) had stated “I have quite a mixed pedigree! By the look of things a mixed pedigree is good for the complexion”3 Helen took up the title Richardson after her widowed mother remarried a British Officer. They lived in Burma when World War II was in its full swing and the Japanese troops had already invaded the place bombing it mercilessly. Around 1942as Rangoon fell India surged with the violent nationwide Quit India protests thus forcing the British troops to retreat. Thousands of men women and children of Burma had become homeless in the war. Their family members were killed and lives were destroyed. They were reduced to refugees. The women and children were sent to Calcutta via boat while the men walked. Helen’s family was one of those severely affected. Her father was already killed on the battlefront thus a very young Helen her mother and her infant brother had no other option than to flee even when there was dearth of boats.