Surekha Punekar

{{Short description|Lavani dancer}}

{{use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}

{{use Indian English|date=January 2022}}

{{Infobox actor

| name = Surekha Punekar

| image = Surekha Punekar.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Punekar during a performance in 2009

| birth_name =

| birth_date = 29/11/1978

| birth_place =

| death_date =

| death_place =

| nationality = Indian

| other_names =

| occupation = Indian Folk Dancer , known for Lavani

| years_active =

| known_for = Lavani performances

| notable_works = Marathi folk dance Lavani

| website =

| party = Indian National Congress

}}

Surekha Punekar is an Indian actress and folk artist known for her lavani performances.

Punekar came from a financially poor family and worked as a maid to make ends meet. In her initial days as an artist, she performed in the various Tamasha troupes on the lavanis written by the well-known poet Bashir Momin Kavathekar. After performing in various Tamasha troupes, she started her own Tamasha troupe with her sister Lata Punekar with support from Baba Pathan and Momin Kavathekar. This new troupe initially operated from Kavathe Yamai. However, the venture was unprofitable so the troupe closed. She then tried performing stage shows under the banner Natarangi Nar from 1998 onwards. Initially they received a cold response from the audience; she mentions once having performed for an audience of just three people.{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/marathi/kanala-khada-lavani-queen-surekha-punekar-to-narrate-her-journey/articleshow/67773119.cms | title=Kanala Khada: Lavani queen Surekha Punekar to narrate her journey | publisher=Times of India | date=31 January 2019 | access-date=30 May 2019}}

However, the show eventually became famous, especially after she won first prize in the lavani competition held in Akluj Lavani Mahotsav. Eventually she had the opportunity to perform her lavani show in the USA. In 2011, she debuted as director of the stage show Nashikchi Naar.{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Punekar-all-set-to-make-directorial-debut-on-stage/articleshow/9560842.cms | title=Punekar all set to make directorial debut on stage | publisher=Times of India | date=11 August 2011 | access-date=30 May 2019}}

During the 2019 Indian general election, there was speculation that she would be a candidate of the Indian National Congress (INC) in the Pune Lok Sabha constituency. She fuelled this speculation in an interview given to Loksatta. However, the seat was contested by Mohan Joshi for the INC.{{cite web | url=https://www.loksatta.com/elections-news/may-surekha-punekar-will-be-congress-candidate-from-pune-for-lok-sabha-polls-1866543/ | title=लावणी सम्राज्ञी सुरेखा पुणेकर पुण्यातून काँग्रेसच्या तिकिटावर लढणार? | publisher=Loksatta |language=Marathi | date=29 March 2019 | access-date=30 May 2019}}

Since 26 May 2019, she has been a contestant in the reality TV show Bigg Boss Marathi 2.{{cite web | url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/telly-talk/gossip/article/exclusive-bigg-boss-marathi-starts-with-only-15-contestants-we-found-the-missing-16th-contestant-read-on/427587 | title=Exclusive: As Bigg Boss Marathi starts with only 15 contestants, we found the missing 16th participant | publisher=Times Now | date=29 May 2019 | access-date=30 May 2019}}