A man of different stroke

Remembering karanth on his 10th Death Anniversary.

It happened exactly 10 years ago. It was 1^st September 2002. National School of drama was celebrating the 80^th 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 1^st 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