Yezdi na panchoter

It was celebration time in Surat on March 3 and 4, 2011 at the Gandhi Smruti auditorium when the Orbit Group and a committee of 75 eminent persons headed by litterateur Bhagwatikumar Sharma celebrated Yezdi Karanjia’s entry into his 75th year of a life dedicated to the stage, teaching and social work. The occasion called for multiple celebrations as in May 2011 Karanjia and his wife Vira celebrate their golden wedding anniversary and the Yezdi Karanjia Drama Group completes 50 years of entertaining audiences all over the world, noted an e-mail sent to Parsiana by Karanjia’s daughter Mahrukh Chichgar.

On Karanjia’s birthday, March 3, the Hindi play Kanhaiya vs. Kanhaiya was performed by Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal. The birthday cake was cut on the stage after the first act. Rawal honored Karanjia with a shawl and a memento, praising his acting skills and telling the audience what a great honor it was to be performing before such a dedicated and experienced artiste.

The following day the Karanjias were welcomed at the Gandhi Smruti in typical Gujarati style, with ladies singing welcome songs and girls carrying matkas (earthenware pots) on their heads, arranged by garba expert Nainakshiben Vaidya. The entrance to the hall was decorated with rangoli portraits of Karanjia and his parents. An aachhoo michhoo was performed by family and drama group members before the couple stepped into the auditorium, after which the curtains went up on a stage bedecked with photographs charting Karanjia’s life. A song, Yezdi na Panchoter ne Surat ma Lila Laher, specially composed for him by poet Dr Mukul Choksi was sung by Karanjia’s son Shahzad, and a dance number was choreographed by Sanjay Parmar. The skit that followed showed Karanjia’s father Naoshirwanji Bapuji Karanjia, guru Chandravadan Mehta, favorite actor Raj Kapoor, Dr Ratan Marshall and Jyotindra Dave coming down from heaven to bless him.

The Sanman Patra (roll of honor) was read by Dilnaz Besania and presented by the mayor of Surat, Rajendra Desai. Sharma spoke about Karanjia as a person, an actor, a friend and a dedicated artiste who, along with his drama group, has performed internationally and donated every paisa for various charitable causes. With over 12 three-act plays, 350 radio plays, 200 variety shows, Karanjia has stolen the hearts of the audience. His mere entry on the stage electrifies viewers and his rib tickling comedy, timing, dialog and stage presence are mesmerizing, writes Chichgar. In the presence of his stage artistes Karanjia was presented a casket and a shawl. In his acceptance speech Karanjia humbly stated that this was not an honor for him but for all those who formed a part of his life — his parents, gurus, wife, children, brothers, sisters, their families, friends, students and the audience. He also explained that the teacher in him was overshadowed by the actor because as the former he connects with the minds of his students whereas as the latter he reaches the audience through their hearts. The program was enlivened with lively compering by stage and television artistes Mehul Booch and Sonia Mehta.

Karanjia has been a recipient of four awards from the Government of Gujarat: Gujarat Rajya Sangeet Natak Academy Puraskar in 1991-92; award for excellent contribution to theater, on Gujarat Day in 2003; honored for his contribution in making ‘Surat sona ni murat’ on Gujarat Gaurav Divas Mahotsav in 2004; and Lifetime Appreciation Award for contribution to the Gujarati stage on January 25, 2011, Chichgar writes.