A man of different stroke
Remembering karanth on his 10th Death Anniversary.
It
happened exactly 10 years ago. It was 1st September 2002. National
School of drama was celebrating the 80th birth anniversary of Habib
Sahab. At around 7.30 pm, a sudden phone call made the director’s face pale. Everyone
was worried to know, what was the massage that made Ankur Ji disturb and upset!
To break the silence he announced; “Karanth is no more…”
10 long
years has passed in between. But the
memories of Karanth remained as fresh as it happened yesterday. I have never interacted with a person so impulsive,
passionate, bohemian and creative like Karanth. He was a GURU in true sense whose
presence inspires. Much has been told about
Karanth and his work but few knew about the other side of the coin. I want to
share some very special moment of my life with Karanth Ji which would help
evaluating his true personality. It was 1st September 2002
He is a
man so tall … and so small!!!
It happened
in 1996, may be in November or December, I didn’t clearly remember. Karanth Ji
was directing, “Manjari Opera” with Sriram Center repertory. He was staying at
SRC guest room upstairs. I was engaged
to do the design work for that play and also assisting him in direction. By then he felt ill and found difficult to
stay alone in the guest room. So he told me to stay back with him for a couple
of days. Since the room was small to accomodate two people, I used to sleep on
the mattress below. Each night we spent talking about theatre, music, people,
family, society and our work so we usually go to bed let.
But that
day Karanth Ji was feeling very uneasy. I advised him to sleep early and put
off the light. At around 12 midnight, I suddenly woke up and saw Karanth Ji
sitting on the cot, disturbed. I asked for his well being but in return he
insisted me to get some ice cream
for him. But it was already too late and all the shops were closed in the Mandi
house area. I told him to sleep quietly but he was reluctant to eat ice cream.
I got irritated since I was half slept and tired. I consoled him to get ice
cream in the morning but without listen he shouted at me, opened the door and
rushed to the road with a lungi and a kurta. He started moving towards Bengali
market, I had to follow him. Since all the shops were closed by then, he kept
on walking towards Sankar Market at Caunaught place but it was in vain. No ice
cream shops were opened for him at this odd hour. As he was heading towards the
railway station I forced him to return back and plead him not to create scene
on the road. Hopefully he realized the situation and returned back upset. On
the way back to SRC, we crossed Babar Lane.
Sudden Karanth Ji jumped and said, “We can get ice cream here”. I asked,
“How?” Pointing towards a marriage reception in a nearby Kothi he said, “Let’s come and see if we can get
some ice cream here!”. I felt ashamed, “if someone would recognize us?...” But
Karanth argued, “Who knows me here, except you? We theatre-wala are lesser
known people. We are not stars or politicians, people will care for us. So don’t
worry. Follow me.” He entered inside the reception so confidently as if invited….
I shamelessly followed him.
But what
is this? I saw Karanth Ji was talking to a person who was neatly dressed;
Perhaps an invitee to the marriage reception! That man respectably took Karanth
Ji inside the dining space and offered him ice cream. I was shocked… He also called
me and a full plate of ice cream on my table! Karanth Ji smiled and introduced
me to that gentle man. “He is Rajan; one of my old students at Sardar Patel
Vidyalaya. His sister is getting married. So don’t worry. Eat as much as you
can.” I was astonished and simply gazed at this white beard man; the towering figure
of Indian theatre…. He was a child…!!!!
That
night I understood one secret behind his success; Passionate willpower brings you the achievement.
Satyabrata
Rout
