‘Father of Indian TV serial’ Joshi dies at 73

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 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”.

Veteran journalist Rajendra Yadav paid rich tributes to his friend: ‘‘What Manohar Shyam Joshi did nobody could. He was a peerless personality, a master of languages including Hindi, English and Urdu. His death is a shock to me.’’

Senior journalist and close friend Ramsharan Joshi said: ‘‘I first met him at Bombay in 1960 when he was working in Film Division as a script writer. We stayed together at the house of director and scriptwriter Umesh Mathur. He took me as one of the four prominent characters of his first novel.’’ His contributions to Hindi journalism will remain unforgettable due his wonderful capture of idioms, he added.

Joshi has also won several awards including MP Sahitya Parishad Samman, Sharad Joshi Samman, Shikhar Samman, Delhi Hindi Akademi Award and Onida and Uptron award for television writing.