“There are just 67,000 Parsis left in the world, but they give an impression of a million because people like Yazdi Karanjia have dedicated their lives for a good cause,’’ said actor and theatre artist Boman Irani.
Irani was speaking at a programme to felicitate the Gujarati Parsi theatre legend in the city on Sunday. Karanjia was recently awarded Padma Shri.
“I have a long way to go to be compared with what Yazdibhai has done for the theatre. I have done nothing so far. I feel humbled to be a part of this moment,’’ said Irani.
The 1,200-capacity auditorium gave a standing ovation when Irani planted a kiss on the 83-year-old’s cheek. “Nowadays, because of coronavirus, people don’t touch but I say ‘kiss-karona’,” the Hindi film actor said, leaving people in splits. His nephew Farzan and granddaughter Mezarin Variav dramatized the legendary theatre artist’s life on the stage.
Surat Parsi Panchayat, Parsi Pragti Mandal (Surat), The Zorastrian Women’s Assembly of Surat and Surat Parsi Gymkhana had organized the programme to felicitate Yazdi Karanjia who was among the recipients of Padma Shri this year.
“Yazdibhai gave everything to the society and he shares happiness with everyone,” said Dastur Khushed Dastoor, member of National Commission for Minorities.
Yazdi Karanjia and his family members have kept Gujarati Parsi theatre alive in the state.
