Noted Hindi litterateur and senior journalist Manohar Shyam Joshi, 73, breathed his last at 6.40 am today at National Heart Institute in Delhi.

Born in Almora on August 9, 1933, Joshi redefined the world of television in the 80s when a serial Hum Log, penned by him, hit the small screen. The family drama became a rage among

the masses.

His next soap opera Buniyaad, which depicted the life of a family rendered refugees by the Partition, was also a big hit.

Joshi, who has also penned scripts of several other hugely-popular serials Kakaji Kahin, Mungeri Lal Ke Hasin Sapne, Zameen Aasmaan and Gatha, soon became a house-hold name in the country at a time when TV entertainment was at a nascent stage. Joshi, a master in subtle comedy, has also written the scripts of Hindi films like Hey Ram, Appu Raja, Papa Kahte Hain and Brashtachar.

Joshi has written several books including Kuru Kuru Swaha, Kayap, Hariya Hercules Ki Hairaani, Baton Baton Main, Mandir Ghat Ki Pooriyan, Kaise Kissago and Tata Professor.

He won the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for Kayap last year. He was the editor of Sapthahik Hindustan, a Hindi weekly.

The cremation at Nigambodh Ghat this afternoon was attended by thousands of people, including former HRD minister and relative Murali Manohar Joshi.

‘‘I don’t know how to express my sorrow over his death. I think a great name in literature and journalism has left us,’’ said novelist Kamaleshwar, going on to call Joshi the “father of the Indian television serial”.

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