Interview of Jairaaj Sarna

Jairaaj Sarna

Often--the past defines the present…

Not everyone is keen on discussing their hobby. Understanding and documenting history is not the only reason people collect autographs. A second is the desire to touch, to feel a connection to, an important figure from the past or event in which they participated. Between the present and the past there exists no more intimate personal connection than an autograph. An autograph is a tell-tale, and in a sense self-proving, and thus constitutes the most reliable intimate and personal link between the present and the past.

We chatted up with Jairaaj Sarna recently. He is a young autograph enthusiast from Delhi.  Men and women of great principles, of extraordinary achievements, of profound consequence and inspirational leadership, with human feelings and emotions, come alive in the autographs they leave behind. It is the product of their hands, minds, and even souls, and portrays their very essence. In their writings, they clearly reveal to us the intimate details of their public and private lives. So autographs are, according to Sarna---- “The true living word shadows of the great and the inclination to collect and to treasure them is a very natural one”.

A man's writings are the mirror of his heart. When asked how true that is---- Sarna felt that there can be no doubt that the handwriting of a man is related to his thought and character. He later went on to speak about his various experiences.  I was only 11 and one day I was with my family. I saw people collecting autographs. I asked my father about it all. He inspired me to start this as a hobby. The first autograph I collected was from---Morne Morkel the famous South African-Australian cricketer who played international cricket between 2006 and 2018. Here I met many experienced auto collectors this gave me more impetus. It was just a small hobby then. I soon met more people from the autograph community and they shared loads of experience with me. This gave me a clearer idea about this hobby. I have plenty of other hobbies but this one tops the list.

I still remember the Virendra Shewag story. I tried connecting with him through several ways and means. But I did not achieve success. I tried visiting his Gym as well. But the tight security stopped me every time. After trying a lot out of a sudden co-incidence I met him in the lift of ITC Mourya. It was a dream come true. When I approached him, he obliged immediately.

Let me also share with you the Muthaiya Murlidharan story. This is interesting. I and my Brother first spotted him in the Oberois.  There were other Auto hunters as well. He was getting really late. He still obliged and smiled in for a group picture. At that point someone from his Team tried to hurry him up. Murlidharan scolded that person and protected our interest. He also gave us his autograph as well.  

I also once met Varun Dhawan. He lives close to my Aunt’s place in Mumbai. Once me and my cousin went to meet him.  We knew the Gym he visited regularly. The security misbehaved with us and did not let us in. Soon Varun spotted us and asked the guards to let us in. It was really nice of him to oblige us with an autograph in between his training sessions.  

Sarna now has in his precious collection around 200 autographs. He is still a student.  It is a unique hobby--- he opines. I am the youngest member of the autograph collection club of India.  He further added---“It is a new experience all the time.  I met Kapil Dev in Mohali Stadium and I he spoke to me for half an hour. This is really an incredible experience. He not only gave me an autograph but also added a beautiful message. Since I was barely 12 years of age, he chatted up with me and patiently answered all my questions. This is indeed so unique.”