Barve began her career by acting for Sudha Karmarkar's Little Theatre. She also had a short stint as announcer on
All India Radio, Bombay and later as a news reader on Bombay
Doordarshan (India's National broadcaster), and presenter of
Saptahiki. While with Doordarshan, she also performed the role of Bahinabai Choudhary, the poetess-saint, in the critically acclaimed DD produced telefilm,
Bahinabai. She shot to fame with her performance in plays like the
Marathi drama
Ajab Nyaya Vartulacha ('Strange Justice of the Circle') in 1973, C. T. Khanolkar's adaptation of
Brecht's
Caucasian Chalk Circle,
Mohan Rakesh's
Adhe-adhure,
Tee Phul Rani (Flower Queen) (1975),
P.L. Deshpande's noted adaptation of
G. B. Shaw's
Pygmalion and by
Jay Lerner's
My Fair Lady. She was widely appreciated in 2 super hit Marathi stage plays,
Hands-Up! (1982) and
Ranga Mazha Vegala (1991), both co-starring Avinash Masurekar. She acted in many TV serials and dramas, besides Hindi films,
Kundan Shah's
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983) and
Govind Nihlani's
Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa (1998). She was also the chairperson of the
Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Sammelan. ==Death==