BY SANJAY PANDYA
Atlanta, GA, August 13, 2025: The International Gujarati Cultural Society, Atlanta (IGCSA) successfully organized the 994th performance of Welcome Zindagi, a play by poet Saumya Joshi and his entourage of three thespians and three backstage personnel from India, on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Peachtree Ridge High School auditorium.
Welcome Zindagi is the story of the Ganatra family in Mumbai, who migrated from Savarkundala, Gujarat, for a better future. The first twenty minutes were enough to get up close and personal with the three characters: Arun Ganatra (aptly played by Saumya Joshi), a head clerk on the brink of retirement from a job he takes pride in; Bhanu Ganatra (Jigna Vyas), his wife and mother; and their son, Vivek Ganatra (Abhinay Banker). In the play, Bhanu is an ideal wife who dominates her husband slightly while ensuring the family is well looked after. Typical of today’s times, the son has completed an MBA but is unsure if he wants a corporate job, preferring instead to start a business with his friend.
On one level, the play explores the problems arising from unspoken affection among the three family members. A series of confessions about what each of them has done for the family is depicted with emotional intensity.
On another level, it addresses the challenges of being an entrepreneur. The family quarrels over a decision to invest a substantial sum into a new business venture, highlighting the risks of entrepreneurship for a middle-class household.
Bhanu’s dialogues, peppered with a Kathiawadi accent, were sometimes inaudible. While Bhanu was vocal about her thoughts, anxieties, joy, and frustrations, Saumya Joshi, as Arun, chose a restrained portrayal, rarely expressing what was on his mind and instead relying on body language. Vivek is young and dynamic, with a fire in his belly and dreams in his eyes, yet his feet remain grounded, albeit mired in his past. The grudges he has nursed since childhood eventually grow into a major misunderstanding between him and his father. One scene particularly stood out, in which Vivek explained that his friendship with a wealthy man was not because of his money, but because he was a true friend.
All three actors performed exceptionally well. The sets were appropriate, and the background music was aptly used throughout the play to convey its message.
The impactful ending came with a poignant soliloquy by Arun Ganatra, the father and husband. His monologue and overall character brought rare dignity to the life of a humble clerk—commendable, as such honor is usually reserved for the rich, famous, or privileged top executives. Welcome Zindagi celebrated the dignity of labor.
Calling Welcome Zindagi a “comedy” would be a misnomer, “family drama” would be inadequate, and “social satire” might be closer to the truth. But the best way to describe this awe-inspiring, goosebump-inducing, rib-tickling play would be: factual fiction. One of Bhanu’s one-liners is, “Kaan na jalsa aankhon thi naa karaaye!” which roughly translates to, “One cannot enjoy the pleasures of the ear through the eyes.” This line aptly describes this remarkable Gujarati play written and directed by Saumya Joshi—one must watch and hear these characters and their story, rather than simply read about them.
Generally speaking, NRIs are often served cheap and vulgar dramas, but Welcome Zindagi was a breath of fresh air—thanks to IGCSA for bringing such an outstanding production to us.
Two years ago, IGCSA hosted a week-long Gujarati Film Festival in Atlanta, which was warmly received. Last year, the group organized an outstanding event at the Best Western in Roswell—An Evening with Noted Writer Madhu Rye & Iconic Gujarati Poet Shobhit Desai—alongside the Gujarati stand-up comedy show Lavari. Earlier this year, IGCSA welcomed spring in Atlanta with the musical evening Pagala Vasantna.
Many thanks to Mr. Jatin Shah, Mrs. Chaula Zaveri-Shah, Mr. Nimish & Mrs. Parul Sevak, Mr. Malay Desai, Sagar Shah, and Iqbalbhai for their help in the successful staging of the play. Thanks also to Patel Processing, Bhindi Jewellers, Sheth Foundation, Dr. Amita and Ketan Ghia, and all other donors and media outlets for their warm support.
The event was graced by Drs. Naresh & Asha Parikh of Georgia Clinic, Dr. Dhaval Shah of Peach Clinic, Savan Shah, Rajiv Goswami, and our beloved cultural ambassador of India, Mr. Mustafa Ajmeri, among others in the audience.
Cover photo: From L to R: Dr. Asha Parikh, Dr. Naresh Parikh, Mr. Jatin Shah, actor Abhinay Banker, writer-director and actor Saumya Joshi, Jigna Vyas, Mrs. Chaula Zaveri-Shah, Mr. Mustafa Ajmeri, Mr. Nimesh Sevek, and Mrs. Kheru Ajmeri.
