Once, Merwan wrote, directed and starred in his own production titled Charkhé Manmoor (The Wheel of Desire).1 A boy named Behram who could not act well wished to have a small role. Although most of the cast (Baily, Jamshed and others) did not want him to participate, they accepted him because his father was Dinshaw Merwan Irani, an important man in the Zoroastrian community.2 As Merwan pointed out, they had to let the boy have a part because they needed his father's contribution to offset the cost of the costumes and theater rental. Thus, the boy was given a bit part — he was to come out on the stage with a dagger in his hand, raise it above him and cry out in Gujarati, "O God, the spirit of my father!"
The Baliwalla Theater was hired for a private performance. On opening night, the play started well until this boy's turn came. He was so nervous that when he came out on stage, the dagger was shaking in his hand and he was not where he was supposed to be on the stage. When he lifted the dagger and cried out, "Ooh! Ooh!" the poor boy was unable to recite the rest of the line.
Jamshed was in charge of raising and lowering the curtain. Merwan signaled to bring it down and it was quickly lowered. However, because the boy was in the wrong place, the pole at the bottom of the curtain struck him on the back and he fell, with the curtain on top of him. Only his head was sticking out. The boy started shouting for help and Jamshed panicked and began pulling his legs. But Jamshed could not budge him because the curtain was too heavy. At last Merwan quickly lifted the pole, and the frightened boy was dragged backstage. By this time the audience was in a delighted uproar — the solemn, edifying drama had turned into a farce.
Merwan also loved attending silent film shows and Gujarati and Urdu plays, some of which were performed at the Baliwalla Theater.3 The circus was another attraction. Merwan, his brothers and friends, made it a point to see the circus when it came to town once a year.
Merwan always kept busy and would often say, "Nothing is as bad as unoccupied time."
He was full of energy, involved in some activity all the time. In Baily's notes, he recalled: "Merwan was never found idle, but was always engrossed in his studies or reading the books he liked. If he tired of those things, he would come and play games with us. He was enthusiastic and industrious; his conduct and character were flawless."
Merwan persuaded those of his friends who were indolent to work with him in chores they disliked. By sharing in their labor, Merwan inspired even these boys to become industrious. None of his friends had ill feelings about this side of his nature, for Merwan was their leader. For example, Baily had no interest in sports at school, but Merwan would persuade him to take part in the games. During the annual sports competition, Baily's name appeared on the list of athletes, although he had never signed up. Another student informed Baily about it and he complained to the principal that he was unable to participate and his name had mistakenly been added to the list.
Footnotes
- 1.Charkhé Manmoor is a Gujarati expression, a metaphor for the endless cycle of needs and wants that ordinary human beings are caught up in. The "wheel" is constantly turning, and each turn brings with it a new desire, — propelling a constant striving a never-ending search for satisfaction.
- 2.Dinshaw owned a large provision store on Sachapir Street (Dinshaw Merwan & Sons). He, his wife and their son later visited Meherabad in 1927 to pay their respects to Baba.
- 3.According to Baily, some of the early plays Merwan attended in Poona were: Jeheri Saap, Asoone Hees, Khune Neyah, Julme Vahesee, Harishchandra, Gool Bakavli, Kanak Tara, Farhad-Shireen, Allaudin aur Jadooye Fanas, Alibaba aur Chalis Chore, Hoore Arab, Dorangee Dunia and Khubsurat Bala.