You’ll never know who will end up impacting your life at some point of time. Today, we have social media and often make heroes out of people who we find inspirational or even someone with whom we can connect to on a personal or a spiritual level. But what about the times when these mediums didn’t exist?
40 years ago, a doctor from Adipur saw Charlie Chaplin’s movie Gold Rush. During a tough period in his life, he found a way to forget his troubles and connect with a person who was providing laughter therapy to the world for a long time. Dr. Aswani, loved the movie so much that he saw four consecutive shows. When he returned home, he founded Charlie Chaplin Club and decided to celebrate his birthday every year. Since then, people of this small town of Bhuj parade around dressed up like the famed comedian and celebrate his life and legacy.
Doctor Aswani, an ayurvedic doctor from Adipur is the man behind Charlie Chaplin club. Over the time the club has grown with many members from Mumbai and Ahmedabad coming here to celebrate Charlie Chaplin’s birthday on 14th April.
He lost his job when he didn’t turn up for work and spent his time watching Charlie Chaplin movies. He failed in multiple jobs because he was so deep in his own fandom. He even got selected for Film and Television Institute of India but his ideas didn’t match with the way the institution worked. He dropped out and returned to his home with no job and no future.
He appeared in an exam and started his training as a ayurvedic medical practitioner. During this phase of life, he was advised by a friend ‘keep the charlie in you alive’.
When he celebrated Charlie Chaplin’s birthday for the first time in 1973, it was on a very personal scale. Nothing like the one that you are seeing in these photos.
Apart from practicing medicine, he also organizes mime workshops children in the town.His Charlie Chaplin Club has members from all around the country.
From young kids to adults, whole town joins in the celebration of Charlie Chaplin’s birthday. Fans show up dressed up on bowler hats, walking stick and black and white suits impersonating the comedian’s signature style.
Adipur is near Bhuj and the weather is very hot during the afternoon. Walking around in this costume is not easy for many of these young fans but they show up with great zeal and enthusiasm.
Doctor Aswani often hands out the DVDs of Charlie Chaplin movies to the patients who are suffering with depression
He recounts his first introduction with the comedian “I laughed and laughed and fell down on the ground. Three times I saw that movie, and next day I lost the job.”
Doctor Aswani has trouble walking now, but he oversees the festival with his daughter who drives him on her bike.
Adipur, being a Gujarati town, doesn’t forget its garba routines during the festival. It is fun to see a group of performers impersonating Charlie Chaplin’s style while others dancing on traditional Gujarati beats.
With every passing year, the size of cake becomes bigger. This time it was so long that it became difficult for us to click the whole piece properly.
“You’ll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile.” – Charlie Chaplin
That’s such a sweet gesture. Wonder why stories like this are never highlighted by the media!!
What a great post! I’ll be smiling for the rest of the day : )
What a nice tribute and that quote at the end.. so true. I will smile all day today. The photos are brilliant and the dr has done a great job
Thanks a lot
What a unique story, I’d love to know how you found out about this. It’s fun to hear about these kinds of stories when traveling, it really adds a lot more depth to a place and to one’s experience while visiting. Maybe one day I’ll get to visit.
It is really amazing.
I didn’t know something like this existed. I loved Charlie Chaplin movies as a kid but never knew that fandom can go all this way. Thanks for showing a side of India that we didn’t know before.
Same here. I think it was a great way to relate to a childhood icon and see so many people who love him equally.
What a heartwarming piece. It’s so nice to see that the whole idea is infused with a focus on mental health and combating depression. The portraits of the participants dressed up in Charlie Chaplin clothes are striking and personal. Thank you for sharing this cool festival.
I so agree with you. It is a privilege to find something worth holding on to and then making it a way of life.
Such a unique and inspiring story. I’m curious how you came across this one. It sure makes a beautiful photo essay so I’m glad you’ve shared it with us.
I was going through some posts on Instagram and came across a picture. It made me curious and made me go there.
This is so interesting, and I have never heard of a city celebrating Charles Chaplin birthday. With the black and white photos, the city really looks like back in time. I would love to visit one day.
This is a very personal festival so not many know about it. Thanks for sharing your comments.
What a fascinating story! I’m so glad I came across this article. I wouldn’t know about this place if it wasn’t for this writeup. Keep up the good work!
Thanks a lot for reading this and sharing your thoughts.
Oh wow such an amazing story!!! I didn’t know about this I have to recommend this to my dad!! Thank you for writing about it, I’m sure a lot of people don’t know about it!!
It is a very unknown festival but is celebrated with real great enthusiasm.
Such a unique commemoration for an inspiring man! How did you discover this festival? I hadn’t yet heard of it!
Totally agree. It is a very unknown festival.
What a feel good story! It’s fascinating to know the effect an actor can have around the world. And it’s amazing how one man’s excitement can spread into a community.
Totally agree. One person can bring so much change even in death.
I enjoyed watching Charlie Chaplin movies. Though they are old, they still one of thr coolest movies.
Totally agree.