Siloo Manekshaw, aka Siloo Bode, was a kind artist and loving wife of India’s very first Field Marshal, Sam Manekshaw, better known as Sam Bahadur. She was a Parsi by birth and lived on art and charity. She did a lot, particularly through her free clinic, where she provided medical checkups for free, and it was operated in Tamil Nadu. Siloo Manekshaw shunned publicity, and all her support was to Sam Bahadur.
In today’s article, we have discussed her reminiscing life, romance story, and accomplishments. So let’s begin today’s article.
Siloo Manekshaw Biography
Siloo was a Parsi lady, a great painter, and a philanthropist who was married to Sam Manekshaw, a war hero. Born in 1911, she is a living image of benevolence. She accompanied her husband in his glorious military life, the 1971 India-Pakistan war, through which Bangladesh was born. Her paintings, charity clinics, and philanthropy have left indelible marks. She passed away in 2001 at the age of 90 and is remembered till date for her dignity and sagacity. Her philanthropic work has made her a popular figure. Her life was used to create scenes in the 2023 film Sam Bahadur.
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Silloo Bode Manekshaw |
| Profession | Painter, Philanthropist |
| Born | 1911 |
| Date of Death | 13 Feb 2001 |
| Birthplace | Amritsar, Punjab, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Known For | Wife of Sam Manekshaw, Coonoor clinic |
Siloo Manekshaw Age
Having been born in the year 1911, Siloo lived her entire life to a very high standard. At the age of 90, she was healthy, demonstrating until the end, when she died in the year 2001. Even throughout her later years, there was evidence that she continued painting and working for charity as well, being a source of elegance and strength of character.
Early Life & Family Background
Siloo was born in a tight-knit Parsi family and was the first one to grow up there. She was born and brought up in Amritsar, Punjab, and not much is known. There is no news concerning her parents. It is only known so far: she had a sister in Lahore and three brothers who went into engineering and medicine. She was brought up in a cultural background and got interested in art and music. She went to Mumbai to study and discovered new worlds of imagination.
| Detail | Information |
| Birthplace | Amritsar, Punjab |
| Family | Parsi Zoroastrian |
| Siblings | 1 sister, 3 brothers |
| Cultural Influence | Art and music |
Siloo Manekshaw Children
Siloo and Sam had two daughters: Sherry Batliwala, who was born on 11 January 1940 and worked in the corporate world, and Maja Daruwala, who was born on 24 September 1945 and works as a practicing human rights lawyer. The two sisters were pampered by their family and had a merry-go-round house. Sherry calls Siloo the pillar of the family in her interviews.
Siloo Manekshaw’s Husband
Salo was married to Sam Manekshaw on 22 April 1939 in Mumbai after a windy romance that started in Lahore in 1937. Initially there were family hesitations and their relationship was slowly getting worse. Their relationship remained strong for 62 years. Siloo was very honest and kept her word of getting married to Sam.
| Detail | Information |
| Husband | Sam Manekshaw (married 1939) |
| Marriage Date | April 22, 1939 |
| First Meeting | Lahore, 1937 |
Who Was Sam Manekshaw
Sam Manekshaw was born on 3 April 1914 and India’s first Field Marshal in 1973 and a military general. His nickname was Sam Bahadur. He had fought five wars, a rare fact because he had fought and won wars in favor of India. Sam had been awarded Padma Bhushan and Military Cross, especially for the 1971 war, because he had already won them. He passed away in the year 2008 at the age of 94.
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw |
| Profession | Field Marshal, Indian Army |
| Born | April 3, 1914 |
| Died | June 27, 2008 |
| Known For | 1971 Indo-Pak War victory |
Educational Background
Siloo received her education from Elphinstone College, Mumbai, where she studied literature and culture. She also underwent training at Sir J.J. School of Art later, where she gained expertise in painting and fine arts. Her education sharpened her skill to produce fine art and serve society, revealing her creative potential.
| Detail | Information |
| College | Elphinstone College, Mumbai |
| Art Training | Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai |
| Focus | Fine Arts, Painting |
Career Breakdown
Siloo did not pursue conventional work, but she made significant contributions as an artist and philanthropist. She painted lovely paintings and raised funds for local charities. She also raised funds through theatre productions at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. Her most lasting achievement was setting up a free health clinic in Tamil Nadu, where she offered unpaid medical care to poor families. She also planned the interiors of her homes, mixing art and functionality.
| Milestone | Details |
| Art Contributions | Painted and sold artwork for charity |
| Theatre Work | Organized plays for fundraising |
| Charity | Established Coonoor health clinic |
| Home Design | Crafted Stavka’s interiors |
Her Movies
She herself was not involved in any film, but a movie related to her life was released in 2023, named Sam Bahadur, where actress Sania Malhotra played her role. This movie was based on Sam’s military triumph and in it Siloo was shown as his wife and her story was brought to a wider audience.
Siloo Manekshaw Death Date
Siloo passed away in 2001 at the age of 90 years in Tamil Nadu and was fighting lung cancer. She was cremated by the Ooty Parsi Cemetery, and there were many people present, including some locals and a lot of people who used to visit her clinic and were treated free of charge.
Her clinic legacy continues till date and reminds us of her, with people still holding on to the memory of her family.
Achievements & Awards
She did not earn any formal award, but her impact was quite proven. Her clinic was very good and even today it is free. It Provides health care and she also did fund raising through art, which was donated to countless families, their dedication was loved and recognized by the community and the villagers remember her memory even today.
| Achievement | Details |
| Health Clinic | Founded free clinic in Coonoor |
| Charity Work | Raised funds via art and theatre |
| Community Respect | Honored by locals at funeral |
Conclusion
Siloo Manekshaw, born in 1911, was a heart and skilled woman. She stayed with her husband, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, throughout his years of service. Her clinic, her paintings, and the love of her family bear witness to her life. She passed away from cancer in 2001, but her daughters, Sherry and Maja, keep up her enthusiasm. She will be remembered by people for generations to come. You can inform us on how much you enjoyed reading this article and her life by posting your comment.
FAQs
Sam met Siloo in 1937 at a Lahore social event while she visited her sister, sparking a romance that led to their 1939 marriage.
India has no active Field Marshal in 2025; the honorary rank was given only to Sam Manekshaw and K.M. Cariappa.
Yes, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam visited Sam in a Wellington hospital in 2008, days before Sam’s death, to pay respects.
Sam was shot nine times in the stomach during a 1942 World War II battle in Burma, surviving against all odds.
Kalam asked Sam about his health during their 2008 meeting, and Sam replied cheerfully, “I’m alright!” – his final words.
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