By Arvind Thekdi
SUGAR LAND, TX — Gujarati Sahitya Sarita (GSS) proudly celebrated its Silver Jubilee on Saturday, August 22, 2026, commemorating 25 years of devotion to Gujarati literature, language, culture, and creative expression.
Held at Sharadamba Temple (Saraswati Mandir) in Richmond, Texas, the celebration welcomed approximately 200 guests from across the Greater Houston area. The evening was a vibrant tribute to the enduring beauty of the Gujarati language and to the generations of writers, poets, performers, scholars, and supporters who have helped keep Gujarati literature alive in the diaspora.
Founded in 2001 by Mr. Deepak Bhatt, inspired by his mother’s wish and encouraged by fellow Gujarati literature enthusiasts, GSS began as a small gathering hosted in the homes of Deepak Bhai and other members. For nearly 11 years, these intimate monthly meetings served as a creative sanctuary where Gujarati lovers could read, write, discuss, perform, and celebrate their mother tongue. Today, GSS has grown into a thriving literary community whose monthly meetings take place in a larger facility in the Sugar Land area. In 2012, the organization was registered as a non-profit entity in the State of Texas.
Over the past quarter century, GSS has nurtured poets, storytellers, playwrights, musicians, and performers. Its members have written poetry and fiction, created collaborative novels, staged plays, composed music, and performed Garba and Raas. The organization has also welcomed distinguished literary figures and cultural leaders from Gujarat, India, and North America, while providing a platform for emerging voices and meaningful dialogue across languages and generations.
The Silver Jubilee program was emceed by Ms. Shweta Shroff, who guided the audience through the organization’s history and highlighted important milestones from the past 25 years.
The celebration opened with prayers and Saraswati Vandana, followed by a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony. The honored guests—Acharya Shri Gaurang Nanavaty, Acharya of Chinmaya Mission Houston; Smt. Sita Kapadia, author of The Woman Besides Gandhi; GSS founder Mr. Deepak Bhatt; Dr. Omprakash Gupta, University of Houston professor and author; and Shri Hasmukh Doshi, prominent civil engineer and philanthropist—lit the ceremonial diya. Each dignitary was then presented with a shawl embroidered with Gujarati alphabets and GSS logo.
Dr. Omprakash Gupta introduced his latest book, Ram Charit Manas, featuring 1008 Chaupais (verses) translated into Gujarati. Complimentary copies were distributed to attendees.
The artistic program began with a patriotic yoga dance performed by Ms. Riddhi Desai.
GSS President Mr. Nikhil Mehta (2024-2026), who has served the organization in several capacities since its early years, delivered the welcome address. A group dance titled “Matrubhasha No Vaibhav”—“The Splendor of the Mother Tongue”—written by Umashankar Joshi followed. Choreographed by Ms. Uma Nagarseth and performed by GSS members Meeta Merchant, Avni Mehta, Shivani Shah, and Maya Patel, the presentation celebrated the richness and evolution of the Gujarati language across centuries.
A selected chorus of GSS members then performed a specially composed poem by local Gujarati poet Ms. Devika Dhruv. Ms. Dhruv and Ms. Desai also presented a moving retrospective on GSS history, recognizing the contributions of countless members and honoring those who have passed away. The presentation also remembered the many acclaimed poets, scholars, authors, and motivational speakers who have graced GSS programs over the years. Ms. Shaila Munshaw, who traveled from India to attend the celebration, added a special literary touch by reciting one of her original poems.
No Gujarati celebration would be complete without Garba. Local GSS members filled the venue with music, movement, and spirited group singing in a colorful Garba performance “Maare Palavade Bandhayo Jashodano Jaayo” Chreographed by Ms. Uma Nagarsheth, with Garba appropriate backdrops selected by Ms. Avni Mehta.
The evening continued with the Gujarati one-act play “Ughada Page”—“With Bare Feet”—written and directed by Mr. Narendra Ved. The play featured Mr. Fateh Ali Chatur, Ms. Nayana Shah, and Mr. Nikhil Mehta through a touching story of friendship, the drama portrayed the honesty and unconditional support of a grateful student who remains loyal to his friend despite difficult circumstances. Background Music of Sitar Vaadan of different moods was composed by Ms. Priti Parikh.
Another highlight was a Sangya Nrutya, a group dance inspired by the Dhruvgeet “Sambhali Shakay Nahi, Bolvu Ye Bandh Ane Karvani Sangya Thi Vaat.” With poignant words by Dhruv Bhatt, the presentation reflected the experiences of people living with speech and hearing loss. The dance was directed by Ms. Charu Vyas, and six GSS members—whose average age was approximately 75—performed the piece with grace, energy, and profound emotional depth.
The program concluded with the short, humorous, and satirical drama “Das mathi Das” — “10 Out of 10,” written and directed by Mr. Narendra Ved. Drawing upon lines from poet Kalidasa’s epic work Meghdut, the play featured Mr. Nikhil Mehta, Mr. Nitin Vyas, and Ms. Avni Mehta.
Over two and a half hours, the program unfolded seamlessly through prayer, lamp lighting, dance, poetry, music, and theatrical performances with beautiful visual backdrops, carefully selected music, and graceful transitions created a unified artistic experience filled with humor, emotion, cultural pride, and literary spirit.
The celebration concluded with a vote of thanks, followed by a sumptuous dinner featuring traditional Gujarati cuisine. Attendees expressed their appreciation for GSS and its enduring role in preserving and advancing Gujarati literature within the Gujarati-American community.
The Silver Jubilee was more than an anniversary. It was a celebration of identity, creativity, friendship, and belonging. Most significantly, the program demonstrated the extraordinary vitality of a literary organization whose participating members have an average age of more than 70 years. Their enthusiasm, talent, and dedication offered an inspiring reminder that language and literature flourish wherever people cherish them.
As Gujarati Sahitya Sarita begins its next chapter, it remains committed to preserving, modernizing, expanding, and enriching the Gujarati language—while embracing the English language and the multicultural experience of Gujarati life abroad.
The Silver Jubilee marks a unique milestone in the history of Gujarati Sahitya Sarita and renews its promise to keep the heritage of Gujarati language and literature vibrant for generations to come.
