Noted Gujarati playwright Taarak Mehta, whose writings were adapted in a popular Hindi TV serial Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah , died on Wednesday. He was 88. Mr. Mehta was a recipient of the Padma Shri.
Mr. Mehta died in a hospital and his family decided to donate the body to science.
The popular Hindi serial “Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah” was inspired by Mr. Mehta’s Gujarati columns “Duniya Ne Undha Chashma.” The serial is one of the longest running comedy shows in the television history of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, BJP president Amit Shah and others condoled Mr. Mehta’s demise and hailed his works in Gujarati literature.
Mr. Modi recounted how Mr. Mehta “never left the side of satire and pen.”
“I have had the privilege of meeting Mehta several times. I also got a chance to meet him when he was honoured with Padma Shri. His work reflects unity in diversity in India,” the Prime Minister said.
Munmun Dutta, one of the actors in “Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah,” tweeted: “Saddened by the news of Taarak Mehta sir passing away. Last time when I met him, I could see his health failing him. He was still spirited and full of life. People will always remember him as the man who gave everyone the reason to laugh through his writings. My respect to him.”
