On 8th November, 2021, our very own Yazdi Naoshirwan Karanjia, the exceptionally talented, leading stage actor and personality of Gujarati and Parsi theater, was awarded the most prestigious Padma Shri, India’s top civilian honour, by President Kovind, at a glittering ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, for his unparalleled contributions in the field of the Arts. Parsi Times was delighted to break the splendid news to our community on the eve of Republic Day, 25th January, 2020, when the awards were formally announced.
“He holds a prominent place in the world of live theatre and continues to contribute through his humour,” read the tweet shared by the President of India, praising Yazdi Karanjia.
Speaking with Parsi Times, Padma Shri Yazdi Karanjia shared, “It’s an incomparable feeling of joy and gratitude. It’s like when you do something good and you are acknowledged for it with a grand pat on the back – to me it feels like the whole nation has patted my back! A few lines that come to me on this occasion are: ‘Hasna aur hasaana – yeh koshish hai meri, Har koi khush rahey – yeh chaahat hai meri; Mujhey koi yaad karein ya na karein, Har apne ko yaad karne ki aadat hai meri’ (translated as: To laugh and to make others laugh is my endeavour; To see everyone happy is my greatest desire; Whether people remember me or don’t; It is my habit to remember all my close ones).
Based in Surat, and born on the 3rd March, 1937, Yazdi Karanjia is known for his dynamism, onstage energy and never-failing ability to command the audiences’ undivided attention, and effortlessly have them double over in splits, with his unmatched comedy timing. Well into his 80s, this legendary doyen of Parsi and Gujarati theater continues to enchant crowds with his unique brand of clean and witty humour.
To receive the Padma Shri in New Delhi, Yazdi was accompanied by his doting wife Veera and daughter – the dynamic Maharukh Chichgar, an equally accomplished theatre personality and trendsetter on stage. Shares Maharukh, “The whole trip with my parents was an unforgettable one. It was a matter of immense pride. When my father received the ‘Honour’, at that very moment a voice inside me said, ‘You don’t need looks or money to be noticed… it’s your work and goodness of heart that ultimately shined out’. Thanks dad, for this wonderful and meaningful ‘sutra’ of life.”
Ever since his return to Surat from the capital, after receiving the award, Yazdi Karanjia’s residence is thronged with dignitaries and well-wishers alike, who keep pouring in to congratulate him. This includes the Mayor and the Commissioner, relatives, friends and innumerable fans who are overjoyed at the honour bestowed on the man whose talent brings a smile to every face and whose humility and words of wisdom bring a smile to every heart.
Known for his kindness, grace, humility and gentle demeanour, Yazdi Karanjia has dedicated the greater part of his life in two main directions – dramatics and education. He established the ‘Yazdi Karanjia Group’ in 1958, with his brother and theater personality, who he held closest to his heart – Mehernosh Karanjia. This theater group is amongst one of the most respected and sought after in Gujarati/Parsi theater circles. He also founded The Cambay Institute of Commerce in Surat, which aims at empowering adults with self-sustenance through education, where he still teaches accountancy.
Speaking about his inspiring philosophy on life, he shares, “Life is to be lived with one main mantra or goal – and that is, no matter what hardships and challenges are thrown at you – try to keep cheerful and always keep smiling and laughing… and spread the happiness onto others too. Life will always pose difficulties and pain along the way, but these are the paths one must travel to reach one’s ultimate destination – and those who continue to smile through life’s trials have the most fulfilling journeys. You see, when you keep smiling and laughing, it brings you closer to God – as you radiate divine positivity. Laughter is pure. But let us never ever laugh at the expense of another – never laugh at another’s hurt, misfortune or humiliation or to bring down another. And most of all, remember this – when you laugh and smile with an open heart, you will inch closer to the divine, to God. But when you bring laughter to another, then God Himself draws closer to you! So, always face your pains and challenges with a smile and shine the sunshine of laughter into the lives of others. May God keep us all happy!”
“My wife, my children, my family – they are my oxygen. They have loved me immensely – I feel blessed and grateful. I thank my lovely family for their constant support – my wife Veera, my late brother Mehernosh who is always in my heart, my dear daughters and my son and my sister-in-law – all of them are to be thanked for this achievement,” says Yazdi.
And what message would he like to share with the community on a parting note? “There is one iconic Hindi song that sums up all that I believe in and how I have lived my life – Kisi ki muskarahaton pe ho nisaar, Kisi ka dard mil sakey to le udhaar, Kisi ke vaaste ho tere dil mein pyaar, Jeena isi ka naam hai. (Translated: Give your all to bring a smile to someone, take on another’s share of pain, To have a heart filled with love for another, That is what life is all about),” he succinctly concludes, in his inimitable style of grace laced with judiciousness.
Here’s once again extending our heartiest congratulations to Yazdi Karanjia for keeping the Parsi flag fluttering ever so high!
EXCERPTS FROM THE CITATION OF YAZDI NAOSHIRWAN KARANJIA
Performing on stage as a child actor Yazdi Karanjia nurtured his acting skills through college years, and won a National Award in New Delhi representing Gujarat University in 1958. Acting eventually became his passion, giving birth to the Yazdi Karanjia Group, founded in 1959. 85-year-old Yazdi is the central pillar wearing multiple hats as producer, director, and actor.
The Government of Gujarat produced a 50 minutes documentary on his life sketch and has exalted him multiple times including Gujarat Gaurav Award and Sanman Patra at the hands of Honble PM Shree Narendra Modi (the then Chief Minister of Gujarat), National recognition was bestowed with Legend of Indian Theatre award by All India artists Association and Lifetime achievement Natraj Award by revered Shree Morari Bapu, Swar Sadhna Ratna Award, Vishista Seva Sanman by the Surat Municipal Corporation, Appreciation Award for Arts and Drama by World Zoroastrian Organisation and All India Radio. The Surat Academic Association conferred on him Bhisma Pitamah of Education World.
Besides passion, dedication, love for the arts, and a zeal to make people laugh through boisterously hilarious comedies, what separated Yazdi Karanjia from the rest of the actors was the selfless philanthropic motivation and performing only with motive of charity. Yazdi Karanjia became a sought after performer invited across India’s Cities, towns and villages and also in London, USA, Canada, Singapore and Pakistan, resulting in charitable contributions of crores of Rupees towards social, religious, educational and medical causes.
He has a reputation of being a brilliantly funny man with his instinctively impeccable comic timing appreciated by veteran actors like Raj Kapoor, Sanjeev Kumar, Paresh Rawal and Boman Irani. His command of physical comedy, with his madcap running around, banging into things and people, and his prat-falls even at his ripe age of 85 years, has the characteristics of comic geniuses like Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton or Jerry Lewis. His splendid trifecta as Producer, Director and Actor culminates in the reputation, respect and enviable success of Yazdi Karanjia, evident in a record-breaking over 300 performances across various plays. He is equally popular and loved on Radio and television.
Apart from acting he is a master of Accountancy, having represented India and presented a paper on Accountancy in 1990 at World Accountancy Conference in London. He is a teacher par excellence teaching Accounts and Shorthand at the famous Cambay Institute of Commerce. He also served on Film Censor Board Gujarat State from 1995 to 1997 and is the member of Drama Scrutiny Board of Gujarat, Conciliator in Permanent Lok Adalat, Trustee of Surat Parsee Panchayat and Lions Cancer Detection Centre Trust.
His serenity comes from immense potentiality of services rendered by him. A name that has left permanent footprints on the sands of time through his exemplary achievements and rare qualities of head and heart, he is a gift to the legacy and heritage of Parsee Gujarati Live Theatre, and at 85 years of distinguished service he still continues to inspire generations.
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