A journey into self

But first things first. “My foray into the media began with the All India Radio that I joined as an announcer soon after graduation in 1975 in Patna. Marriage to an IRS officer two years later brought me to Kanpur, where I got an offer to work in theatre,” begins Gaur.

From acting in various plays in Kanpur, Ranjana moved to television once her husband was posted to Lucknow. But the real big break came her way in Mumbai, when Ranjana was offered a major role in a production of the Indian People’s Theatre Association. Following this, she was approached by Annu Kapoor to play Laila in his play, Laila Majnu. The play was a big hit and was staged a number of times at the Prithvi Theatre. After which came the era of the television and Ranjana moved on serials like Ek Kahani, Adhikaar followed by four episodes of Shyam Benegal’s much-acclaimed Bharat Ek Khoj.

“By 1989, I was quite well established and there were even a couple of film offers from the likes of Yash Chopra, when, inexplicably enough, I began to question the meaning behind existence. Why was I living? What was the aim of my life? For long, I’d had this book in my collection, the spiritual autobiography of Baba Muktananda, that I started reading. Uncannily enough, it seemed to answer all my queries about life.

At the same time, I underwent some intense and personal spiritual experiences. For instance, once, fed-up with the routine of acting, I asked my religious teacher whether I ought to continue with television or give it up. In reply, she just laughed uproariously. At that time, I was quite miffed but some days later, while I was meditating, I heard that same laughter in my belly. It seemed to come from within me. All this forced me to recognise that I was perhaps on the verge of a major change in my life. And the change did come about, in 1990, after I met our guru, Gurumyi Chidvilasananda, who taught us meditation, the meaning behind life and initiated both my husband and me,” states Ranjana.

Ranjana gave up acting, and in 1994, the couple came to Pune following the husband’s transfer here as additional commissioner of income tax. “By now, I had plunged myself into the world of spiritualism. The rewards have been immensely satisfying. I had everything I needed in life earlier, but only now do I feel fulfilled, contended,” says Ranjana, who begins her day with walks, yoga and prayers and takes care to have just one meal a day.

“After meeting my spiritual guru, I even learnt classical music for two years and now play the harmonium and sing bhajans,” concludes this multi-faceted lady who managed to dust out the stars from her eyes only to get a clearer picture of life. Or rather, as she puts it, “God’s theatre worked better for me than the man-made one”.