A few weeks ago, Parsi Times was delighted to break the news that our legendary, and much loved and respected, Parsi and Gujarati theatre actor and personality – Yazdi Naoshirwan Karanjia, had been bestowed the prestigious Padma Shri Award in the field of Art, by the Govt. of India – much to the pride and jubilation of our Community worldwide. But the sense of celebration and pride was that much more in his hometown, Surat in Gujarat, where four organisations – Surat Parsi Panchayat; Parsi Pragati Mandal; Zoroastrian Women’s Assembly of Surat; and Surat Parsi Gymkhana – came together to felicitate the 83-year-young personality’s much-deserved, outstanding achievement, on the 8th of March, 2020, at the Sanjeev Kumar Auditorium, which was packed with over a thousand proud Surat residents, community and fraternity members.
Bollywood actor and personality extraordinaire – Boman Irani, accompanied by his lovely wife, Zenobia – presided as the Chief Guest for function, alongside Guests of Honour – Vada Dasturji of Iranshah Udvada, Khurshed Dastoor, Member of the Minorities Commission of India; Dr. Jagdish Patel – Mayor, Surat Municipal Corporation; and Dinshaw Tamboly, the Chairman of WZO Trust Funds, accompanied by his gracious wife, Bachi.
The function started, alongside the famous Razak band playing melodious tunes, with dignitaries welcomed inside the auditorium with the traditional Achoo-Michoo performed by Yasmin Dotivala and her team. The dignitaries the lit the divo on stage as Vada Dasturji of Surat, Dastur Cyrus Dastoor recited the ‘Yatha Ahu Vairyo’ and ‘Ashem Vohu’ prayers, blessing all present. A welcome dance, performed by Behnaz Todiwala’s ‘Utkarsh Dance Academy’, was followed by an excellent short skit – ‘Hasti Hasavti Hasti Yazdi’, based on Padma Shri Yazdi Karanjia’s life, enacted by the very talented Maharukh Chichgar, Farzan Karanjia, Mahazarin Variava, Shehzad Karanjia, Danesh Bhathena, Aanoash Chichgar, Kevin Besania and little Yazaan Variava. Son Shehzad Karanjia, a fabulous singer, sang his father’s favorite song – ‘Kisi ki muskarahato pe ho nisaar’, striking an emotional chord with the audience, as it resonated with the beautiful journey of Yazdi’s life. All the Yazdi Karanjia Group members then came on stage to pay a tribute to their frontrunner.
Charming compares Bennaifer Engineer and Dilnaz Besania invited the dignitaries on stage. In his welcome note, Jamshed Dotivala, President – Surat Parsi Panchayat, extolled the uncompromising sense of discipline practiced by Yazdi Karanjia, and requested the youth to follow in his footsteps. He, along with Mahatab Bhatporia (President, Parsi Pragati Mandal); Delnaz Katpitia (President, Zoroastrian Women’s Assembly of Surat); and Zawareh Wadia (President, Surat Parsi Gymkhana), presented a token honouring the guest of the day.
Shehraz Hilluwala introduced Dinshaw Tamboly, who, in his eloquent speech congratulated Yazdi Karanjia for his outstanding achievements: “For someone as young as 83 years, married just under 60 years ago, Yazdibhai has perfected the art of being not only happy, but also sharing happiness with everyone around him. What has endeared Yazdibhai to all is his sincerity and humility – always a gentleman to the core, in thoughts, words and action! His achievements are legendry… there can be no doubt, that in the days to come, Yazdibhai will continue to achieve even more laurels.”
Farzana Kharadi introduced the first citizen of Surat, Mayor Dr. Jagdish Patel, who shared how Karanjia was not just the pride of the Parsi community, but the entire city of Surat. Zubin Chichgar introduced Vada Daturji Khurshed Dastoor, who passionately appreciated Yazdi Karanjia’s magnanimous contributions to society by his art, making everyone laugh through his wonderful plays.
Perin Karanjia introduced Chief Guest Boman Irani who greatly praised Karanjia, dedicating a brilliant rendition of the song, ‘My Way’, which received a standing ovation from the packed audience. “There are just 67,000 Parsis left in the world, but they give the impression of a million, because people like Yazdi Karanjia have dedicated their lives for a good cause. I have a long way to go before I can be compared with what Yazdibhai has done for theatre. I feel humbled to be part of this moment,” Boman Irani extolled Karanjia.
The highlight of the function was a beautifully designed and drafted ‘Scroll of Honour’, presented on stage by Guinness World Record holder, Surat’s Vispy Kharadi. The four-feet-tall Scroll displayed the sketch of Yazdi Karanjia, and signatures of the four Presidents of the host institutions, and was read out by Cyrus Dotivala, who requested all the dignitaries to award it collectively to Yazdi Karanjia, receiving another standing ovation.
Padma Shri Yazdi Karanjia thanked all the organizations for the honour bestowed upon him and blessed everyone to always be happy and keep laughing. After his note of thanks, over thirty organizations and innumerable individuals felicitated him with endless shawls, garlands and mementos, Trustees of Vadodara Parsi Panchayat and Billimora Parsi Anjuman.
Then organizers thanked all who worked towards making the function such a grand success. The memorable and high-spirited function ended with dinner organized at Seth Rustamji Kavasji Tamna ni Dharamshala.
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