Eminent Gujarati humourist and playwright Padma Shri Taarak Mehta died at the age of 87, after a prolonged illness, yesterday. He took his last breath in a hospital, surrounded by his family members, who have decided to donate his body to science. Mehta is mostly known for hit television series 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah', which was adapted from his column 'Duniya Ne Undha Chashma' which was first published in Gujarati weekly Chitralekha, in March 1971, and ran for two decades.
Several political leaders, journalists, and others condoled Mehta's demise, and hailed his significant contribution to Gujarati literature. On getting the news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "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." 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma' writer Asit Kumarr Modi said he was personally affected.
"Taarak Mehta ji was very happy to have his name in the title of the show. He really liked it and treated me as a son. He had been unwell since some time, and age was also taking its toll on him. He always blessed me and the show for a long run. He was also happy with Shailesh Lodha because he played the character of Taarak Mehta to perfection. Besides, the society losing a stalwart of humor and satire, his passing away is a personal loss to me. He would not have wanted anybody to cry over him but to feel happy at the rich heritage of culture he has left behind," Modi said.
Munmun Dutta, one of the actors in the serial, 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."
Born in 1929, Mehta has written over 80 books and six popular Gujarati plays.
