Long before TV screens lit up with laughter, Tarak Mehta was flipping the script on satire in Gujarati literature. Armed with his ‘inverted glasses,’ he poked fun at life’s ironies gently, insisting humor’s true power lies in its sweetness, not sting. This vision made him beloved, and on his death anniversary March 1, his influence feels as fresh as ever.
Ahmedabad welcomed Mehta on December 26, 1929. He built a multifaceted career starting in journalism. Chitralekha’s 1971 launch of ‘Duniya Ne Undha Chashma’ marked his rise, where he humorously unpacked politics, society, and family life. His touch was magic: issues felt light, lessons profound.
In interviews, Mehta revealed his secret: ‘Sweet humor touches the soul and urges improvement.’ This guided his prolific output—80+ books from columns and essays—plus theater innovations like play translations and original comedies delivering messages merrily.
Professionally, he thrived everywhere: Gujarati Natya Mandal since 1958, Prajatantra’s deputy editor, and India’s information ministry. His humor adapted seamlessly.
Mehta’s reach went pan-India with the 2008 Sony SAB series ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah,’ based on his column. The Gokuldham tales, with Shailesh Lodha as Mehta, have entertained millions, evolving into a national treasure of relatable comedy.
Crowned with Padma Shri in 2015, Mehta’s life ended March 1, 2017, at 87 amid illness in Ahmedabad. His gentle genius persists, teaching through ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ that laughter, when sweet, changes the world one giggle at a time.