हंसी का वो जादूगर, जिसने ‘उल्टे चश्मे’ से दिखाई दुनिया, घर-घर में मशहूर हुआ टीवी शो, दर्शकों का बन गया फेवरेट

New Delhi. The comic emperor of Gujarati literature i.e. Tarak Janubhai Mehta had a completely different way of looking at the world. He looked at the inconsistencies of the society through his ‘inverted lens’ and used to satirize them in a light manner, which was never bitter. He clearly believed that true humor is that which directly touches the heart with sweetness, brings a smile on the lips and forces a person to think. His humanitarian thinking and incomparable writing made him a favorite of readers and viewers of all ages. Today, March 1, is his death anniversary.

Taarak Mehta was born on 26 December 1929 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He started his writing journey with Gujarati literature and journalism. In March 1971, his famous column ‘Duniya Ne Undha Chashma’ was published for the first time in the Gujarati weekly ‘Chitralekha’. In this column he looked at everyday social, political and family issues from a different perspective. Through humor, he used to say serious things with such love that the readers would start laughing and thinking.

Tarak Mehta wrote more than 80 books

There was satire in his writing, but it was never sharp or hurtful. In an interview, he had said, ‘I look at issues from a different perspective so that people can think while laughing. Humor should not be bitter, but sweet, which touches the heart and inspires change. This was the basic mantra of his writing style, which made him the face of Gujarati comedy literature. Taarak Mehta wrote more than 80 books. Most of these were based on his columns, while some books were compilations of articles published in various newspapers. He also made significant contributions to Gujarati theatre, translating many comedy plays and conveying the message with laughter through the plays themselves.

‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ started in the year 2008

In the year 1958, he joined Gujarati Natya Mandal. After this he was the deputy editor of the daily ‘Prajatantra’. Later worked as a content writer and officer in the Information and Broadcasting Department of the Government of India. Even during this period his comedy writing continued. In the year 2008, Asit Kumar Modi started the serial ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ based on his column ‘Duniya Ne Undha Chashmah’. This show aired on Sony SAB is one of India’s longest running comedy serials.

Was honored with Padma Shri in the field of literature

Small things of everyday life are shown with humor through the characters of Gokuldham Society. Shailesh Lodha has played the character of Taarak Mehta in the show. This show took his legacy to the entire country. The contribution of Tarak Mehta was also appreciated by the Government of India. In the year 2015, he was awarded the Padma Shri award in the field of literature. He died on 1 March 2017 in Ahmedabad after a prolonged illness, at the age of 87, but his pen is still alive and tickles through ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’.