I was born in 1927 in street
of Ahmedabad (India) called ‘Chhipa Pole’. My father died when I
was two. My mother took me to her brother’s place where I grew up.
People of same community used to stay together. My street was like William
Thorondike’s play called ‘Our Town’. It was a miniature world.
It teaches us about reality, about our self, how to leave with
community and folly of human beings. Best part of my street was, everybody used to
help each other with selfless service. We used to play with animals
and stay with Gods in temples. We used to enjoy festivals and play ‘Raas’ in
‘Navratri’ with moon over our heads and giving reverence to the
God Sun in the daytime with ‘Gayatri Puja’. Also we used to see
the folk theatre ‘Bhavai’ in our street.
I
was lucky that I was born in the time of Mahatma Gandhi, Heir Hitler
and Charlie Chaplin. I passed my examination in school and joined
government college in Gujarat, where I played my first play called
“Hullad” (Riot). After performing this play on 9th
October 1942, I was shot in my right leg, for taking part in ‘Quit
India Movement’.
My city - Ahmedabad