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Interview of NRI Humorist Harnish Jani

Harnish Jani in action

“I write from heart, speak from heart and live from heart as well. Hence only, I’ve been operated five angioplasty and one bypass surgery!”



Full name Harnish Sudhanlal Jani born on April 5, 1941 in ChhotaUdepur of Vadodara district. Coincidentally, it was the Indian festival of ‘Ram Navmi’ when he was born. With his humorous touch he says “If Ram knew that I was to born on this date, he would have chosen another date!” This is  Harnish Jani, the humorist.

Here is the brief summary of Harnish Jani for you. Also note, the notes in brackets after every detail, which is given by him. And also what you will read in Gujarati language, is written by him only! Please don’t take it seriously… 😀

Family:

  • Mother – Sushilaben (Gruhlakshmi), Father – Sudhanlal (Farmer)
  • Wife – Hansa (‘Boss‘)
  • Daughters – Aashini (Writer. She is married to Sandeep Desai, Computer Engineer and they have a daughter-Annika); Shivani (Bindas); Son – Sandip (Shy)

Education:

  • 1962 – B.Sc., Gujarat University (Because didn’t get admission in Engineering)
  • 1964 – D.T.C. (Diploma in Textile), M.S. University (Because didn’t get admission in M.Sc.)
  • 1980 – Plastic Technology, New Jersey (Because can earn bunch of dollars)

Profession:

  • INDIA – Atul Products (The golden time of Bachelorhood) and Ambika Mill (Used to sleep during night-shifts) – Total six years.
  • AMERICA – Manager in Textile printing for seven years. (Where inspite of working as a donkey,didn’t earn much)
  • For last 25 years working as Research Chemist in Plastic Industries (Have a colorful dot in the picture for keeping Global Environment clean. Earned name, money and work!)

Published books: ‘Sudhan‘ – life’s first book – (hopefully not the last!)

Harnish Jani

(Harnish Jani with Madhu Rye, Varsha Adalja, wife (with camera) and Ratilal Chandaria , Photographs by Great Filmfare photographer Dhiraj Chavda)

Harnishbhai was kind enough gifting his book ‘Sudhan‘ to me. Now I didn’t know him at all, only that he reads articles on Speakbindas. And just like that he arranged to send his book to me. The book contains various stories written by him, during the various years of his writing. He caught my attention from the introduction (પ્રસ્તાવના) itself. His writing seemed to be like the flowing water of river. At no place, I found that he tries arranging words or feelings, rather felt like he was talking with me, and I was listening him.

And here goes the Interview.

Q. What did evoke you to become a writer? Particularly a humorist?

A. Reading makes one want to write. Every humorist always sees the world differently. I always see the lighter side of the grave situation. I remember on our tour to Belgium, my wife was separated from our tourists group-I was nervous in my heart. Still I told tour manager “Let us get out of here, without her; this is the only chance to get rid of my wife.” I also entertained other tourists by telling them”husband- wife” jokes. They did not believe that my wife has been lost. They thought that I made up the story. (Finally she joined the group after an hour with the help of local police).
As far as humor is concerned, one should be born with it. I was laughing at my birth. So the nurse slapped me on my behind and I started crying!

Q. How do you formalize a story before writing? Do you think of entire plot first in mind and then write it down, or with the initial or rough theme in mind, you start writing and then it goes on its own?

A. First of all, I decide the theme and then I always decide the end and then just start writing. I write as the story flows. I am a storyteller and I can present my views very clearly. In my early childhood, I would gather kids of my age at night and tell them story about kings and magicians or Arabian nights, or generally about a movie I saw or book I read.

Q. Who are your favorite writers? And which books you would suggest others as MUST READ?

A. Different strokes for different folks. One likes to read what suits one’s temperament and personality. So someone may not like what pleases me. I like dozens of writers and dozens of favorite books. I have read very few Gujarati books in last 40 years, while I have read dozens of books of English, French and Italian literature. The Urdu writer Manto and Marathi writer P.L. Deshpande are my favorites.

Q. Has your writing passion, ever become a hurdle for your professional career?

A. No No, as a matter of fact my writing skills helped me in my professional career as a Plastics Research Chemist in writing my research papers and some of them have won the awards in science world. And to tell you the truth, my professional writings were shaped up like my Gujarati story writings. My stories start with the theme and it never leaves my subject till the end, just like my scientific papers.

Q. Recently, I read your book ‘Sudhan’, which has many humor stories written by you. I personally liked, “Meghdut” myself, as you have crafted the extreme feelings of the engineer. Which one is yours favorite?

A. My book “Sudhan” received the second prize in Humor category from Gujarat Sahitya Academy in 2007. All of the stories of “Sudhan” are my favorite. Any story that makes me laugh while writing it, I can tell my readers will enjoy it. The story “Meghdut” is not your average story with jokes or humor. The way story builds up is funny. I think people with a different sense of humor like it. I salute you for appreciating “Meghdut.” I would E mail to any of your readers who is curious about the story. Just write me at
harnish5@yahoo.com

Q. Not only a humorist writer, but you can also entertain audience with your humorous speech too, which is not so common in writers. How come is that with you?

A. I love to talk. In every social party I tell jokes and stories for hours. Now I have diverted my hobby to larger groups and I changed my light jokes to literary funny stories. In other words I can say, I write my funny talk on piece of paper in a story form.

Q. From some stories in your book ‘Sudhan’, and from the last two chapters which are from your real life, we get to feel your love and attachment for your native “Rajpipla”. It is said back in India here that, once a person goes to USA, he becomes an American, rather a money-gainer only. Is it true? From your stories, we got the message that you are still heartily connected with your native.

A. I always say, “You can take me out of Gujarat, but can not take Gujarat from me.” So is true about Rajpipla my hometown. During my last visit in 2007, I couldn’t find my Rajpipla and my people. That made me sad and brought tears – “Jane kaha gaye woh log- woh deen?” Now Rajpipla is in our heart and mind. It doesn’t exist any more.

Harnish Jani

Q. From your stories, we can feel that, you are an observer that your story characters symbolize the common people’s characters. What inspires you to write?

A. Waiting at the airports, train station or in public places, I love to observe people. If anybody talks to me once, I always find something interesting and peculiar about that person and will remember that automatically.

Q. If God allows you to undo one thing in your life. What it would be?

A.  I wrote many stories before coming to USA in 1969. Between 1969 and 1991, for 22 years, I did not read single Gujarati book and did not write any thing in Gujarati. I missed my golden years of creativity. I would ask God to undo those years.

Q. Tell us something about your family, and the role of your family members in your writing journey.

A. My wife Hansa and I have 3 children (they are no longer children). They all write poems and articles. My eldest Ashini is computer engineer in Xerox and she is a renowned poet. Shivani is my second child who is business manager for a cosmetics company and writes on her blog. Sandeep, our youngest is a student and writes on his blog. I am happy that my wife Hansa also writes. In short, all of us love to read and write. Yes, many times I discuss my story plot with my daughters.

Q.  Your favorite food, and movies?

A.  Let us see. I love Seafood especially lobsters and crabs. After residing in USA for years, I had a chance to enjoy different cuisines -Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese and American .However I always have Seafood in any of them.. Let me tell you this, I would leave every thing to enjoy my wife’s Dal Thokari. That is the top on my list.
As far as movies are concerned, I have seen hundreds of movies. I am a movie buff and I may have at least 50 favorite movies.

Q. What are your other hobbies?

A. I love music, Indian classical music. I am lucky enough to attend most of the classical music artists of India in New York. I also enjoy Art -paintings and love to visit museums. I also love to draw.

Q. What else can you do besides writing?

A. In 1992-1994, I produced, directed, wrote and presented “Gujarat Darshan” a half hour weekly program on cable TV. That was a first of a kind in USA.

Q. Any special message you would like give to your fans?

A. This is my message-“Thank you for reading me. I hope to meet your expectations all the time.”
As Lincoln said “I don’t know the formula for success, but I know the formula for failure-Try to please everyone.

About

Devang Vibhakar is the Founder and Editor of www.SpeakBindas.com. He has interviewed more than 350 people. His effort was recognized by Limca Book of Records, twice. He has been to Scotland as well as Germany as part of vocational & cultural exchange programs and has compiled five books so far. He's passionate about bringing forth interesting stories & interviews of entrepreneurs to avid readers of SpeakBindas. He can be reached here.

14 thoughts on “Interview of NRI Humorist Harnish Jani

  1. Jadav Patel says:

    To make others laugh is truly a humanitarian job. Harnishbhai, congratulations to you for selling smiles!

    Nice interview, enjoyed thoroughly.

  2. Shivani Jani says:

    As his daughter, It’s a wonderful feeling to share the humor that we grew up with in our home with the rest of the world.

    Great interview Dad!

  3. Yes, SUDHAN is indeed a SUDHAN as Harnishbhai gifted it to me! I know now where his humor comes from and I love to be a part of it. In a way, after reading this interview, I can say that I cannot be a good humorist as I did not need a slap on bottom part of the back when I was born 😀

    Nice interview and nice work.

  4. SUREN KAPADIA says:

    R K LAXMAN SAYS THAT TO LAUGH WE JUST NEED TO LOOK AT THE WORLD FROM A CROOKED ANGLE. HARNISHBHAI’S HUMOR IS GENERALLY ENJOYABLE. THE JOURNEY FROM GENERALLY ENJOYABLE TO ALWAYS ENJOYABLE IS A LONG ONE!!! LET IT BE HARNISH JANI’S JOURNEY AND MAY GOD BLESS THOSE NURSES WHO ATTEND TO HIM WHENEVER HIS HEART IS BLEEDING WITH SOMETHING!!!!.

    WHEN DO I GET INVITED FOR A DAAL DHOKLI ??? AND MAY I BRING MY NEIGHBOURS TOO?

  5. Harnishbhai….By reading this interview, I know of you more & I feel proud to be your friend….Your journey as a writer is praiseworthy too…….Congratulations for the publication your book “Sudhan “. It was nice to know that you had Produced/Directed/ written & presented the “Gujarat Darshan ” on the Cable T.V…Your love for Gujarat is well said in your own words “Take me out of Gujarat, but can not take Gujarat out of me ” I was laughing at my birth, so the Nurse slapped me on my backside and I was crying “All the BEST for the FUTURE !
    Chandravadan Mistry (Chandrapukar )
    http://www.chandrapukar.wordpress.com

  6. ijay P.Prabhudesai says:

    Dear Harnishbhai;
    I have really enjoyed your interview sent to me by Ashini.It was very interesting story of your life and journey of your achievements.It was great occasion for me while you visited last to India.and I had privilege to be with you for some time.

    Your sportive nature has always given you, your inherent strength and courage..
    Look forward to meet you again as soon as possible.
    You are fortunate to have lovely family with wife and good children (and also grand daughter-Ania ) and no.of family friends and well wishers which a great treasure at this junction of life..Vijay and Sunalini

  7. kalpana desai says:

    Hello Harnishbhai,
    I liked your interview.I must salute your hard work and your achivements in life and specially in
    humour writing.Wishing you a bright future with 22 golden years.
    Regards at home.
    Kalpana Desai

  8. Lata Hirani says:

    your laugh is turning into waves of ocean…

    harty congretulations Harnishbhai…

    Lata Hirani

  9. Mukund Joshi says:

    Harnishbhai:

    You are the one and only who connects to the hearts of your readers and listeners. You observe things in the most human way and represent the humor essence using simple words. They say humor makes people live long. You certainly have added years in your readers and listeners lives, may you live forever.

    -Geeta and Mukund Joshi

  10. Suresh Jani says:

    Great..
    Typical HJ style.

  11. GIRISH L CHAWDA says:

    I LIKE YR INTERVIEW, REALLY U HAVE ACHIVE IN YR LIFE.MY SELF NEPHEW OF
    DHIRAJ CHAWDA.FROM THE PICTURE BOTTOM FROM LEFT 1ST & 3RD PICTURE
    RATIBHAI CHANDARIA.I KNOW HIM.IF NOT MISTAKEN VARSH ADALJA IS FROM
    JAMNAGAR.IF SO, I WAS VERY VERY YOUNG.

    GIRISH CHAWDA

  12. GIRISH L CHAWDA says:

    I LIKE YR INTERVIEW.U HAVE ACHIVE IN YR LIFE.MY SELF NEPHEW OF
    PHOTOGRAPHER DHIRAJ CHAWDA.IN THE PHOTO BOTTOM PIC.FROM
    THE LEFET 1ST & 3RD IS OF RATIBHAI CHANDARIA,VERY GOOD FAMILY
    FRIEND.I THINK VERSHA ADALJA IS FROM JAMNAGAR.I AM BASE IN NY.
    WISH U HAPPY NEW YEAR TO U & FAMILY.

    GIRISH CHAWDA
    718 210 6913

  13. LALIT SELARKA says:

    Harnishbhai……Namste….read the interview..quite pleasant….will definately join as good listner on 4th 5th at zarukho..and at kalagurjari in mumbai…one comman thing inbetween us is name of wife…hope it entitles me something more than heart….regards…

  14. Harnish Jani is my childhood friend. We in Rajpipla play a localise games together alongwith his cousin late Devendra Jani. As such he is my relative.His father Sudhanlal Jani is maternal uncle of my father. He used to tell stories when we r in school. His way of telling stories with humour was immense . He told the story of Samson and Delilah in Gujarati.We played Gedi Dada together the ancient form of hickey. There r many living memories which I could hardly describe but he he is humorous ,was and will in next both be the same . Pray Almighty for eternal peace to departed soul’.

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