|
|
|
| |
| |
Community - Prominent Kashmiris |
| Pushkar Bhan |
Pushkar Bhan is well known as the doyen of broadcasting and the creator of Zoon Dab and Machama.
He was born in Habba Kadal, Srinagar. He played a leading role in the first Kashmiri play produced by Pt. Sarwanand Bhan. Nav Chhum Shavram Manzimyor was a song in the play that became extremely popular in the valley. He shifted to Bombay to try his luck in the film industry. But the call of his birthplace brought him back to join the historic cultural movement led by Pt. Dinanath Nadim. He organized, directed and acted in stage and open air plays like Lalkar, Ya Tan Ya Tadak, Sheerwani and Kashmir Yeh Hai etc.
In 1952, Pushkar joined the Srinagar station of AIR as an artist and playwright. He retired as a Senior Producer in 1985. He was honoured with the post of Producer Emeritus till 1991.
Pushkar introduced humour and satire in Kashmiri prose. His serials Zoon Dab and Machama were a rage. Zoon Dab was a family serial that created broadcasting history by being on the air every day for 19 long years. It would cover the daily problems of real life in the cities and villages of Kashmir. These aroused so much interest that the concerned authorities or parties were compelled to take immediate measures. The serial caught even international attention.
Pushkar played the main role in the serial. He was the domestic servant Mama, who was known everywhere. In 1974, the President of India honoured him with a Padma Shri.
His other serial Machama was about a middle-aged person of the middle class, who was always craving for the life style of the rich. There is a Machama in each of us and Pushkar depicted this weakness with a lot of humour. Machama also appeared in a book form and Pushkar bagged the Sahitya Akademi award in 1976.
He also wrote other books like Daleela, Kashmir—Zarai Taraqqi ke Naye Ufaq and Waqtuk Aalav.
Pushkar’s other contributions were Poshi Gond, Asun ta Gindun, Niza Saeb, Ladi Shah, Rail Gaed, Hapat Wole and Kav-Kak.
Pushkar played the role of Harud (autumn) in the famous opera Bombur Yemberzal written by Nadim. Nikita Khrushchev was so happy with his performance that he embraced him on the stage.
Pushkar had important roles in the films Mainziraat and Shair-e-Azam Mehjoor.
Even after retirement, Pushkar wrote serials like Rangan Hund Rang, Doctor Zero, Laelihund Majnoon, Inqalab, Jahan Chah Wahan Raah and Bhanwar.
Pushkar is now settled at Durga Nagar, Jammu. He has built a new house which he calls—what else—Zoon Dab!
( courtesy: Prof.Chaman Lal Sapru in Koshur Samachar Feb 2001) |
| Back |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
