look news india
A golden era of Indian television, Dogri literature and Hindi cinema has come to an end. Famous writer and director Ved Rahi, who for the first time brought the beautiful valleys of Kashmir, the life of Shikaras and the simple lifestyle of the common people to the drawing room of every house in the country through Doordarshan’s historical serial ‘Gul Gulshan Gulfam’ in the 1980s and 1990s, has passed away. He breathed his last at the age of 93 at his residence in Thane, Maharashtra. The news of his demise has created a wave of mourning in the world of literature, theater and cinema.
#1. ‘Gul Gulshan Gulfam’ and the untold story of Kashmir
In the last years of the 80s, when the valleys of Kashmir were untouched by unrest, the serial ‘Gul Gulshan Gulfam’ aired on Doordarshan brought a revolution in the history of Indian television. Made under the skillful direction of Ved Rahi, this serial with the sensitivity with which it entwined the victims of Dal Lake, the culture there and the mutual relationships of Kashmiri families, won the hearts of the audience. Through this show, for the first time the whole world experienced the common life of Kashmir and the joys and sorrows of the local people very closely. This serial emerged as one of the most liked shows of Doordarshan during that period.
#1. Pioneer of Dogri literature and honored with Sahitya Akademi Award
Ved Rahi was born in May 1933 in Jammu. His father Mulk Raj Saraf was counted among the fathers of journalism in Jammu and Kashmir, who started the region’s first newspaper ‘Ranbir’ in 1924. Taking forward the literary values inherited from his father, Ved Rahi made an incomparable contribution in enriching his mother tongue Dogri. He was awarded the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983 for his famous work ‘Aale’. In view of his outstanding contribution in the field of literature, Sahitya Akademi also honored him with its highest fellowship in the year 2024.
#1. Indelible mark in Hindi cinema: From ‘Pavitra Papi’ to ‘Veer Savarkar’
Apart from literature and TV serials, Ved Rahi also had a long and respectable career in the Hindi film industry. He wrote screenplays and dialogues for more than 25 popular films. The stories and dialogues of super hit films like ‘Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi’, ‘Pavitra Papi’, ‘Aap Aaye Bahar Aayi’, ‘Beiimaan’ and ‘Mom Ki Gudiya’ were the product of his pen. He also proved his versatility in the field of direction. Along with directing classic films like ‘Prem Parvat’ and ‘Kali Ghata’, he also directed the historical biopic ‘Veer Savarkar’ based on the life of freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in 2001.
#1. Literature and art world paid emotional tribute
After the news of Ved Rahi’s demise came to light, Sahitya Akademi, senior litterateurs and film industry personalities have expressed deep condolences. Paying tribute to him, the Sahitya Akademi said that Ved Rahi ji’s demise is an irreparable loss to Indian literature, Hindi cinema and the rich cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. He leaves behind two daughters—Geetanjali and Poonam—and a large family of relatives. He was cremated at Kopri crematorium in Thane. Even though Ved Rahi is no longer with us today, ‘Gul Gulshan Gulfam’ and his immortal creations will always remain alive in the hearts of the Indian audience.