Ahmedabad: Veteran humorist and author Tarak Mehta passed away today morning in Ahmedabad. He was 88.

He is survived by his second wife Indu and daughter (from first wife) Ishani.

Tarakbhai’s family has decided to donate his body to local medical college as per his own wish.

Shri Tarak mehta was honored with Padma award and number of other prestigious awards. He wrote column in leading Gujarati magazine for last over 45 years. He gave new height to Gujarati humor writing. A TV serial based on his writings ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma’ has been very popular across the country.

Paying tribute to Shri Mehta, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani tweeted: Saddened by the death of Tarak Mehta – humorist & columnist. He always brought smile to our faces. My condolences to family members.

Born in 1929, Tarak Mehta passed matriculation in 1945. He was a student of Khalsa college. He passed BA with Gujarati subject. He did from Bhavans college. He was felicitated with Padmashri award in 2015. He worked in Films Division of Govt of India during 1960-1986. Apart from his regular column in leading Gujarati magazine, his humor essays and number of drama scripts, he had also authored his autobiography ‘Action Replay’. His famous complied write-ups are Duniya ne Oondha Chashmah,Aa Duniya Panjarapole, Action Replay, Albelun America Vanthelun America,Champaklal Tapuni Jugalbandhi, Betaj Batali Baj Popatlal Taraj.Tarak Mehata na Tapudo etc.

His most famous write-up ‘Duniya Ne Oondha Chasma; in the form of humorous weekly column first appeared in Chitralekha, magazine in March 1971 and had had been looking at contemporary issues from a different perspective for around 40 years. He has several books to his credit, many of which are compiled from his columns over the years. He was a well-known figure in the Gujarati theatre arena also.In 2008 SAB TV, a popular entertainment channel, started the show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah based on his column which soon became the flagship show of the channel and one of the most popular TV shows in the television history.

Taarakbahi, who comes from Nagar community was living in Ahmedabad for the past around 17 years with his second wife, Indu. His first wife, Ila later married Manohar Doshi. He has daughter from his first marriage, Ishani, who stays in the US.

Meanwhile, the lead character of serial Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chashma, Dilip Joshi and many others related to the field of theater and literature have condoled his death.

‘I have many fond memories of Tarakbhai whom we have been reading since our childhood. His sense of humor was unmatched,’ Joshi said adding that he has left a void which can’t be filled up.

सुप्रसिद्ध नाटककार और हास्य लेखक तारक मेहता जी को श्रद्धांजलि। उन्होंने जीवन भर व्यंग्य और कलम का साथ नहीं छोड़ा। pic.twitter.com/FRRpA3raYW

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2017

मुझे तारक मेहता जी से कई बार मिलने का सौभाग्य मिला। जब उन्हें पद्मश्री से सम्मानित किया गया, तब भी उनसे मिलने का अवसर मिला।

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2017

तारक मेहता जी के लेखन में भारत की विविधता में एकता की झलक दिखती है । टप्पू समेत कई किरदार लोगों के दिलों में बस गये।

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2017

DeshGujarat