Picture a writer who turns the world upside down—not for chaos, but for clarity and chuckles. Tarak Mehta, the undisputed emperor of Gujarati humor, lived by this creed. Rejecting sharp barbs, he insisted laughter should carry a gentle sweetness, sneaking wisdom into smiles. Marking his death anniversary on March 1, we revisit the man whose ‘inverted glasses’ reshaped how we laugh at ourselves.
From his birthplace in Ahmedabad on December 26, 1929, Mehta dove into Gujarati journalism early. His breakthrough came in 1971 with ‘Duniya Ne Undha Chashma’ in Chitralekha magazine. This column became a sensation, flipping mundane topics like politics and family dynamics into hilarious mirrors of reality. Mehta’s genius lay in making profound points palatable through playfulness.
‘Never bitter, always sweet,’ he once quipped in an interview. This mantra fueled dozens of books—over 80 in total—mostly drawn from his columns and newspaper essays. Beyond pages, he enriched Gujarati theater with translations and original comedic works that preached without preaching.
Mehta’s professional path was equally eclectic: from the Gujarati Natya Mandal in 1958 to deputy editor at Prajatantra, and later roles in government information services. His pen never idled, always bubbling with benevolent banter.
The pinnacle of his influence arrived via television. Producer Asit Kumarr Modi adapted his column into ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ in 2008, a Sony SAB hit chronicling Gokuldham residents’ antics. Shailesh Lodha’s portrayal of Mehta has made the show a cultural staple, running for years and reaching every corner of India.
Recognized with the Padma Shri in 2015, Mehta’s departure on March 1, 2017, at age 87 didn’t dim his light. Today, his inverted worldview endures, reminding us that true humor heals and inspires, one sweet laugh at a time.