Pune-born, Baroda-nurtured and Mumbai-domiciled, Narayan Damodar Karmarkar fitted the old saying handsome is as handsome does. Today is his birth centenary. 'Mama' Karmarkar was Indian cricket's dear uncle.
Pune-born, Baroda-nurtured and Mumbai-domiciled, Narayan Damodar Karmarkar fitted the old saying "handsome is as handsome does." Today (March 6) is his birth centenary. 'Mama' Karmarkar was Indian cricket's dear uncle.
For one who was closely associated with him for more than 50 years, 'Mama' endeared himself to almost one and all.
He was a first-class (Ranji) umpire at the age of 28 and even did duty in an unofficial Test. He was a faithful servant of the Baroda Cricket Association which he served as Honorary Secretary for 11 years from 1937. Many believe that cricket was his first love but it was tennis that was his passion. Proof of this was early morning regular attendance at the Shivaji Park Gymkhana. His organisational abilities were spotted by Anthony de Mello, the founder of the Board of Cricket Control in India.
The first executive secretary of the BCCI, Mama was simply irreplaceable from the time he took charge in 1948 till he called it a day in 1980. At the huge room in the North Stand of Brabourne, it was not only my privilege to meet top dignitaries at Mama's invitation but also get a peep into the minutes of meetings. I was told "those are not for consumption, nor publication." There were secrets that he shared, knowing fully well that I would not let him down. He was honoured by the MCC and was presented to the Queen. However none could save him on that Ganesh Chaturthi day of August 30, 1992. On that day I was to go for an Aarti at his fourth floor flat in Matunga, which had seen very many cricketers.
But I had to reach there with a wreath to lay in honour of my friend. There will not be another Mama.
