"Shamas Ud Din Aage Bado Hum Tumhaare Saath Hain"
I heard the boys shouting inside Botanical Park near Chashm e Shahi garden srinagar on a summer day in 2009 . I knew that a TV Jatta Vanai for DD srinagar Produced and directed by Bashir Qadiri was being shot with Shadi lal in main lead.I asked one of the boys who must have been barely 19 years old as to who is Shamas Ud Din And Lo! he opened his Small notebook to show me the autograph of shadi lal Koul . It was surprising to find enormous fan following of Shadi lal even amongst children born after 1990 in Kashmir.Further questioning revealed that they were regularly watching the serial SHABRANG( 104 episodes ) written by Ghulam nabi kahayal and produced by Farooq Nazki for DD srinagar . Who does not remember the dialogue " Begum salaal Tse Kyaazie Goyee Malaal " from this TV serial ? Otherwise also the serial was repeatedly telecast from DD srinagar on public demand . Shadi lal played the main role of Shamas Ud Din in this Serialized Tele Drama .This Play was telecast for 3 successive years ( 1981 to 1983 ) and i vividly remember that shops would close and people would rush to their homes to see what Shamas Ud Din had to say in the new episode . The play created a Character that turned to be as popular as Hero Machama of Pushker Bhan.Shadi Lal became the face of ordinary poor or middle class kashmiri through his innumerable plays telecast on Doordarshan or Performed on stage at Tagore hall srinagar.. So Much so that he preferred to remain indoors as people identifying with his characters would embrace him on roads . Ladies would kiss his forehead in traditional kashmiri style . The shopkeepers , Tongawallas , vegetable sellers , school and college students would shout "Shamas Ud din Zindabad " loudly at him.
Meet Shadi Lal Koul Versatile Theatre actor from Kashmir . A master of comedy portrayed with combined elements of naturalism and realism .His vehicle to tell stories of clerks , shopkeepers , petty traders or man caught in the chores of daily family life was simple humour .
Born in a middle class family at Chotta Bazar Srinagar , Shadi lal Koul is a self taught man . No formal training at any institution .Together with his friend Ayaash Aarif ( actor and director ) he founded KALI DASS Theatre at Chotta Bal srinagar . He also founded Yasmeen Dramatic Club or his his NUKKAD Theatre in kashmir jointly with Abdul Rahim Kuchhay .
" Many characters that i have performed exist in real life . I just observe people who come close to me for any reason .I recreate these characters on stage. My inspiration has been the clerks , Tongawallahs, labourers , Petty traders on the footpath and men trapped in circumstances beyond their control . Autar ji i do not remember how many plays i have done . Most of the plays were performed on stage . A good number of plays were adapted by TV as well . I also did act in a DD serial under Shyam Benegal Banner with Om Puri.My character as Houseboat owner in Balwant Gargi's Play "HOUSEBOAT " on Door Darshan was well received . I also acted in a Kashmiri movie Inquilaab produced by a Mumbai based producer and directed by D K Kanwal. "
Shadi lal acted in the play Local Taxes Extra written by Dr Sohal lal Koul.The play was performed at Tagore Hall srinagar in 1981. A history of sorts was created by this play in srinagar. Tickets for the shows would always be sold in black for a fully packed Hall.Additional chairs were always put to accommodate the audience . Once the Staff at Naaz cinema nearby gave a thrashing to the artists to pack up as the play had played havoc with their business.This play was also adapted for television by Ashok Jailkhani who produced and directed it. I vividly remember that Rajesh koul another Producer in DD srinagar brought Multi step camera to Tagore hall srinagar and recorded the play for DD srinagar in another style .
DASTAAR ( Turban ) was a play that touched height of popularity in kashmir valley. The Play was written by Prof. Hari Krishen koul for theatre initially.The play was staged at Tagore hall in 1978 in a drama festival organised by J&K academy of art culture And Languages .This play was produced by Kamal Theatre Badyaar Bala and directed by Santosh Tiku . Shadi lal acted as section Officer in this play and got best actor award . A dialogue from this play "Kusum Lata Nein Bataa Kheytaa " is still popular in valley . This play was also performed on DD with superb acting by late Sh H N Gurtoo and directed by Ashok Jailkhani.The play was again done for DD1 channel with Shadi lal again in lead role .
Another TV serial done for DD srinagar was "RANGAN HEUND RANG ". The play was witten by Pushker Bhan and directed by Dr Sohan lal Koul .People still remember the main Character NIKKA KOTTUR performed by shadi lal .I am also reminded of a comedy serial called CHERRY TREUCH written by Makhan lal Saraf and directed by Ayaash Aarif for DD Kashir wherein Shadi lal Played the role of Gopi Nath Gagroo. Another Comedy GHULAAM BEGUM BAADSHAH for DD Kashir directed by Ayaash Aarif had Shadi lal playing the main character Mokhta Mir.None can forget the comedy TIJARRATUK AASAAN TARIKAA written for DD srinagar by Hriday koul Bharti produced and directed by Shabir Mujahid . Shadi lal acted as Master Ji in this popular Drama .I am again reminded of GAASH INNUSS TAAM a play written by Hriday Koul Bharti and directed by Rajesh koul for DD srinagar . Shadi lal's dialogue " Maaji Hinz driyee Kaami Doah Guvv Zaayee " is still remembered by people in valley .Shadi lal also acted in three episodes of GUL GULSHAN GULFAAM under Cinevista Banner .
Shadi lal As Artist
Watch him carefully and you find Humour in his mannerism and body language . His dialogue delivery is perfect . He makes appropriate use of his hands and facial expressions . His steps on stage are calculated to match the content of the dialogues. He hardly needs any rehearsals . Apart from acting , Shadi lal also wrote script for a popular TV comedy SHUKRIYAA directed by Rajesh koul . His acting field is not confined to kashmiri theatre alone . I remember his acting in a hindi play DULAARI BAI in 1981. The play was produced by Pragaash Theatre and directed by Vijay Khushoo.When Dr Sohan lal koul translated the popular Kannada play HAIVADAN by Girish Karnard to kashmiri ( Gurey Buthh ) , it was shadi lal only who became the first choice of the director . Shadi Lal got best actor award for this play .Again when Mohan Niraash translated a kannad Play by S L Bairappa , Shadi lal was the first choice of the director for the lead role. His favourite artists from whom he draws inspiration include late shri Vijay suri , Makhan lal saraf , jawahar wanchoo, Ghulam Nabi Baba and Pran chandra.His favourite script writers include Ali Mohd lone , Farooq Masoodi , Bashir Dada and Hari krishen koul .
The plays that made him popular are
1 Manziel Nikka ( Cradle Baby ) by M l kemmu . Stage Drama in Pather style .shadi lal acted as Jawaan Maskharaa . Shadi Lal got best actor award .
2 Pagaah sholi Duniyaa by Makhan lal saraf, for TV
3 Gulnaar TV serialized Drama written by Amin Shaakir
4Anjaam TV serialized Drama written by Virender Patwari.
5 Local Taxes Extra written by Dr Sohan lal koul performed on TV and stage . Shadi Lal got best actor award
6 Pazer Yeli Moodh By Makhan lal saraf TV drama produced and directed by M l Kharoo.
7 Wukir Baaneh by sajood sailani for DD srinagar
8 Dastaar by Prof Hari krishen koul performed on stage as well as for DD srinagar and DD national .
9 Tassruff done on stage . Play was written by Amin Shaakir . Shadi Lal got best actor award .
10 Zallur written by Bashir Dada and performed on stage in 1982.Performed on DD as well.. Shadi Lal got best actor award
11 Gruhun a play written for the stage by sh D K Ganju
12 Cactus written for stage by Dr Sohan lal koul.
13 Yeli Sangar Pholunn a play written for stage by Bashir dada .
14 Hero Machama written by pushker bhan
15 Tikoon French story of Gye De Maupassant translated for stage by Dr Sohan lal koul
16 Laash Ghar written for stage by Dr Sohan lal koul
17 Noor e Khuda ( Islamic Play ) written by Shadi lal Koul, Ayaash Aarif and L N Tiku.
18 Wazir e Nazar Guzar Written By sajood Sailani for DD kashir .
19 Jatta Vanai for DD srinagar Produced and directed by Bashir Qadiri.
( Sadiq memorial society conferred Life Time Achievement award to Sahdi lal Koul for his contribution to kashmiri. Theatre )
TV Serials Just completed
1 Naav Durr Aab for DD srinagar directed by Ayaash Aarif .
2Yelee Gaash Pholeefor DD srinagar directed by Ayaash Aarif . .
TV serials under Production
1 Vaayee Bichor for DD srinagar Produced and directed by Shabir Haider
Shadi lal's popular Dialogues
1 GONNAY BAA NAA KARRAH NA SHRAAN from the TV play BAA CHADUTHH NA written by Farooq Masoodi and directed by Mir Mushtaq.
2 BEGUM SALAL TSE KYAAZI GOYEE MALAAL. from TV serial SHABRANG directed by farooq Nazki.
3 GANAA GOKHAA FANAA. from TV serial SHABRANG directed by farooq Nazki.
4 MAAJI HINZ DRIY KAAMI DOAH GUVV ZAAYEE from TV Play Gaash Innus Taam
5 GONNAI VINI CHAKHAA BONNAI from the TV play BAA CHADUTHH NA written by Farooq Masoodi and directed by Mir Mushtaq.
" I am humbled by the affection of people from valley. Autar ji i can not tell you how much love and respect i get from my audience while performing on stage or from my viewers who watch my serials or dramas on Door Darshan. . Kashmir is and shall remain my first love though i am also associated with BHOORANG Theatre in Jammu. Long back i was in Sopore and i was stopped by a tongawallah who hugged me suddenly . He desperately wanted me to visit his residence to have meals especially Fish . I explained that i was with a shooting team and had to go to another village for some shots. Reciprocating his affection i too hugged him . He kissed my forehead . He held my hand and tears rolled down his eyes. He had seen me in SHABRANG .That made me pensive in my entire return journey to srinagar . I kept looking at him from the car window for a long distance when we parted. He kept waving . That is my greatest award. "
A graduate of Amar Singh college srinagar , Shadi Lal is a self taught Artist . He lives happily with his small family . His son Vijay koul is pursuing degree in animation. .His wife lalita ji is a simple housewife .
This man who brings smiles to faces had his own share of pain and suffering . Destiny snatched his darling child who fell victim to Cancer . Shadi lal breaks down and turns serious even at slightest mention of this painful episode of his life. So long so much on Shadi lal koul .I end this post with two lines from Poet Bashir Badr .
Yeh Hansee Bhi Koi Naqaab Hai - Jahaan Chaahe hum ne giraa Liyaa
kabhi uss kaa Dard chhuppa Gaye - Kabhi Apnaa Dard Chhupp Liyaa.
( These smiles on my face are a cover which i use at will,
At times i hide pain of others and quite often i hide my own beneath it.)
Based on a work at
http:\\autarmota.blogspot.com\.
