This Article is From Mar 01, 2017

Taarak Mehta, Playwright And Inspiration For Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Dies At 87

Taarak Mehta, Playwright And Inspiration For Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Dies At 87

Taarak Mehta with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Image courtesy: Prime Minister Narendra Modi)

Highlights

  • Taarak Mehta died after prolonged illness
  • His columns inspired TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
  • Mr Mehta's family intend to donate his body to science
New Delhi: Gujarati playwright Taarak Mehta died on Wednesday morning after prolonged illness, his family confirmed to news agency IANS. The 87-year-old columnist wrote Duniya Ne Undha Chasma, which inspired the hit television show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. Mr Mehta's relative Atul Bhatt, who is also a doctor, told news agency IANS: "He died of old age." Mr Mehta's family may also to donate Mr Mehta's body to science, they told IANS. Born on December 26, 1929, Mr Mehta was honoured with Padma Shri in 2015. Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Mr Mehta in a series of tweets and wrote: "Taark Mehta never gave up on writing satire. I had the fortune to meet Mr Mehta many times including when he was give the Padma Shri Award. Taarak Mehta's plays capture the theme of unity in diversity in India."

Here's what he tweeted:
 
 
 

Mr Mehta wrote satire humour column Duniya Ne Undha Chasma for a Gujarati daily. Later the stories from his column were adapted into a play of the same name and many of them were used as episodes on television show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is one of television's popular shows. Dilip Joshi, Disha Vakani, Shailesh Lodha, Amit Bhatt and Neha Mehta headline the show's cast.

Taarak Mehta was married twice. Mr Mehta is survived by his daughter, Ishani (from his first wife) and grandchildren, Kushaan and Shailee.

Taarak Mehta has also authored plays like Aa Duniya Panjarapole, Action Replay (half), Albelun America Vanthelun America, Champaklal Tapuni Jugalbandhi and Betaj Batali Baj Popatlal Taraj.

(With IANS inputs)
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