Gujarati playwright and humorist Taarak Mehta, best known for his columns which were adapted for TV as the popular sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, died on Wednesday in Ahmedabad at the age of 88 after a prolonged illness.
His family intends to donate Mehta’s body to science. Dr Atul Bhatt, a relative of the writer, said Mehta “died of old age”.
The humourist looked at contemporary issues in his column “Duniya Ne Undha Chashma” which was published in Gujarati weekly Chitralekha. The first column came out in March 1971. After the SAB TV show adapted the show from his book based on his columns, they dedicated the title to popular writer.
Condoling Mehta’s demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Mehta’s writings reflected the “unity in diversity” of India. The PM tweeted: “I would like to pay tribute to the noted playwright and comedy writer Taarak Mehta. He never left the side of satire and pen.”
{{/usCountry}}Condoling Mehta’s demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Mehta’s writings reflected the “unity in diversity” of India. The PM tweeted: “I would like to pay tribute to the noted playwright and comedy writer Taarak Mehta. He never left the side of satire and pen.”
{{/usCountry}}Reminiscing about his meeting with Mehta, Modi said: “I have had the privilege of meeting Mehta several times. I also got a chance to meet him when he was honoured with the Padma Shri. His work reflects unity in diversity in India.”
Born in 1929, Mehta has written over 80 books and six popular Gujarati plays. He was honoured with Padma Shri in 2015.
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