The visarjan of the mortal remains of Dr. Ramanand Sagar took place on December, 21st at Haridwar. The vedic rituals were all ended by Dr. Sagar’s eldest son Subhash Sagar and grandson Shiv Sagar who performed the visarjan jointly at the sacred Brahma Ghat amidst chanting of prayers by senior purohits who gathered specially for he occasion. It was as if Ganga Maiya in whose praise he had created the serial Jai Ganga Maiya had reserved a special welcome for her favorite son when she engulfed the Kalash containing his mortal link with the Moh Maya of this universe. The echo of the prayers and the reverence accorded to the departed soul by Dr. Sagar’s admirers at the Ghat truly signified the special bond he shared with the holy river, the visible deity in whose proximity Dr. Sagar had wished to spend his last days.

Sagar Saab had told his sons that he wished to spend the autumn of his life at Haridwar in an ashram he’d build for himself and his wife Smt. Lilakurami on a plot of land he had acquire on the banks of the revered river. He couldn’t realize the dream as he remained actively involved in the creative work he and his sons were engaged in.

In the next year Sagar Saab sons hope to launch the creation of a Ramanand Sagar museum and a spiritual leisure park at the very site he had visualized as his home in his last years.

At this Mumbai residence, Sagar Villa, the condolence messages haven’t stopped pouring in countless friends, well wishers admirers of the doyen have been expressing a personal sense of loss on his passing away.

In a letter addressed to Shrimati Lilakumari, President of India, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, has expressed his grief. He has hailed the creative endeavors of Dr. Sagar and adds “Dr. Sagar will be remembered for the changing face of Indian television through the many serials he directed and produced for the small screen and also his movies which were box office hits.”

Veteran film-maker Ramanand Sagar, who produced one of India's most popular TV series, has died in the city of Mumbai (Bombay) aged 87 after an illness.

Sagar was noted for producing Ramayana, a TV series on the Hindu epic.
After starting out as a film technician in Mumbai - home to Bollywood - he went on to become a prolific film-maker.

"All of us are born in this world, bring our deaths with us and no-one can stop it. His life came to an end and has left us," his son Prem Sagar said.
Ramanand Sagar underwent abdominal surgery four months ago.

Popular

He made and produced more than 25 films and more than a dozen television serials.
But his television series Ramayana in the 1980s won him nationwide recognition.

Ramanand Sagar was born on 29th December, 1917 at Asal_Guru-Ke near Lahore. His Great Grandfather, Lala Shankar Das Chopra, migrated from Peshawar to Kashmir, who by his own strength became the ‘Nagar Shet’ of Kashmiri Chopras. His grandfather was Lala Ganga Ram who established his own trade in 1867 in Srinagar. His father, Lala Dinanath Chopra, used to enjoy writing poetry mainly for personal satisfaction under the nom de plume “Taj Peshawari”. Although he hailed from one of the most aristocratic and wealthiest families of the region, he was adopted by his childless maternal grandmother. Although his original name was “Chandramauli” given by his Kulpurohit, he was named Ramanand by his adopted family. But he missed his real parents love and his childhood was filled with agony and sufferings which was probably the reason for all his future creations which were filled with emotions.

First recorded work at the age of 16, wrote an exceptionally mature piece of prose-poetry titled “Pritam Pratiksha” ( The wait for the beloved) for ‘Shri Pratap College Magazine’ Srinagar - Kashmir. The editor was impressed but, in disbelief, he wrote: “The editor is not responsible for its originality”. Struggling far a living, he worked as a peon, truck cleaner, soap vendor, gold smith apprentice, etc, during the day and studied for his degree into the night.

He got a Gold Medal in Sanskrit and a Gold Medal in Persian from University of Punjab in 1942. From Reporter to Sub-Editor of “Daily Milap” and “Daily Pratap” in Lahore, he rose to be the News Editor for “Daily Milap”. In a span of 12 years, Ramanand Sagar wrote 32 short stories and long- short stories, one novel, two serialized stories, and a stage play. He was also hailed as a satirist in prose and poetry. He wrote under the nom de plume “Ramanand Chopra”. Later, as “Ramanand Bedi” after being adopted by his maternal grand father. Some of his work appeared under “Ramanand Kashmiri” also but finally the fame and fortune were destined for the name “Ramanand Sagar”.

In 1942 as a T.B. patient fighting with death in a sanatorium in Tangmargh, he fought with grit and indomitable will with death. And it was there that he wrote a subjective column “Diary of a T.B. patient” serialized in “Adab-e-Mashriq”, a highly rated magazine in the 40’s. It caught the fancy of the literary world including the famous Krishen Chander and won him wide acclaim instantly. Escaping from the jaws of death fully recuperated he returned as a famous writer to Lahor

In 1936, he started his film career with the Silent Movie “Raiders of the Rail Road”.

In 1940-41, he was signed as a leading man for the film “Koel” and as Abhimanyu in an unfinished film “Krishna” at Shalimar Studio’s Poona.

In 1942 – 43, he was invited by the then famous director Mehboob Khan and also by famous writers Krishen Chander and Monto to come to Bombay.

He shifted to Bombay in 1949 with his family. He stayed with Actor Sajjan, at his residence Tressa Villa at Malad.

He wrote “Goura” in three acts for Prithvi Theatres set in the backdrop of war and peace. The great Thespian Prithviraj played its first two acts under the name “Kalakar”.

Entry into films – He wrote Story and Screenplay for Super Hit “Barsaat” of Raj kapoor, the Actor and Film Maker was the eldest son of Prithviraj Kapoor, the founder of Prithvi Theatres. The R. K. banner logo came from Barsaat.

From a clapper boy in the silent movie "Raiders of the Rail Road" in 1936, Dr. Ramanand Sagar rose to be a successful film maker, writer, director & producer to be reckoned with. He not only mastered the art of cinema, but also entertained the masses in the long run.

As an independent film writer he wrote about 29 films till he established his own film production company "Sagar Art Corporation" in 1950. His first production was "MEHMAAN", which was written, directed & produced by him. Later his group of companies produced over 25 motion pictures till 1984 with over 15 of them being big box-office bonanzas, some of them having crossed 75 weeks theatrically, and some have become evergreen hits in the annals of Indian cinema. The block busters included Silver jubilees "GHUNGHAT", "ZINDAGI", “ARZOO", “GEET", "LALKAR", "HAMRAHI", "CHARAS", "PYAARA DUSHMAN", “RAM BHAROSE”, "BHAGAVAT" and a diamond jubilee "ANKHEN".

The Master Film makeras a Producer, Director and Writer

Ramanand Sagar is a born writer, his biggest asset is his great writing skill which is reflected in his films and later in all his TV serials. He could express and write in Urdu, Sanskrit and Hindi with equal ease. Rarely one comes across a film maker who is equally versatile as a writer, director and producer.

His other strong points as a producer and director were evergreen music, massive productions, spectacular locations, and biggest of starcasts. Even before he started his own production house, he had worked with biggest of stars of his time, like Prithiviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor, Nargis, Nimmi, etc. eternal. He continued this tradition in his own films by casting mega stars of his time like Rajendra Kumar, Sadhana, Dharmendra, Mala Sinha, Rajesh Khanna, Hema Malani, Rekha, Vyjayantimala, Raj Kumar, etc. Whether he made Costume Drama, Action Thriller or Period Films, the portrayal of the sensitivity of a woman's love has remained his high point. His love stories were redefined with each of his films. Therefore, his films, like love, have remained

Entry of a Gaint
Film Maker into the Small Screen Pioneer of Indian Television Industry

In Mid 70's, Dr. Ramanand Sagar and his sons while shooting for "Charas" in France, visited a French home and the whole family watched television together.

As a visionary man, he foresaw that TV will ultimately surpass the big screen. The realization that it was the right medium that brought families together to watch respectable programs. He along with his sons took the biggest stride in TV history which gave them international recognition.

A thought process born in 1975 finally saw the light of the day in 1985. In 1985, The Sagar Group were the first to enter into TV software production & created some of the most memorable programs in Indian Television.

The futuristic approach and vision of Dr. Ramanand Sagar led the Sagar Group of companies to become one of the pioneers in India's media production industry. Starting with the megahit TV serial "Vikram & Betaal", and followed by fairy tales of "Dada Dadi Ki Kahaniyan", Sagar Group - in a period of just 15 years have logged over 2000 Hours of super hit Television software, including the blockbusters "RAMAYAN", “SHRI KRISHNA", "ALIF LAILA", "JAI GANGA MAIYA", "ANKHEN" and many more...

On its launch in 1987, Prime Minister of India Shri RAJIV GANDHI said that
“… The ‘RAMAYAN’ has stirred the imaginations of millions of viewers. It has imbibed the great Indian culture, tradition and normal values especially in the young …”

Former President of India SHANKAR DAYAL SHARMA said “… the ideals and life style in the epic ‘RAMAYAN’ are valid for humanity forever…”

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL – N.Y. (front page) -
“…‘RAMAYAN’ was so popular even with non-Hindus, that some Christian Churches rescheduled Sunday services so that parishioners wouldn’t miss it…”

CNN - “… 3200 Year old Indian epic -‘RAMAYAN’ – streets became deserted as Indians abandoned work and chores to watch the adventure of Lord Rama…”

THE TIMES – London - “…‘RAMAYAN’ is India’s most successful television serial, watched weekly by an estimated 40 million people…”

A book titled ‘NO FULL STOPS IN INDIA’ – Mark Tully – BBC Correspondent – devoted one complete chapter with 27 pages to Ramanand Sagar’s ‘RAMAYAN’ and its unbelievable popularity.

5 VOLUMES OF RAMAYAN were translated in Japanese language for OSAKA University of Foreign studies and taught by Prof. Tomio Mizokami to Japanese student in OSAKA
University.
THE TIMES OF INDIA wrote - “…‘RAMAYAN’ is the Biggest Block Buster in the History of
Indian Television …”

INDIA TODAY wrote - “…‘RAMAYAN’ is a Divine Sensation…”

NELSON Ratings - “…‘RAMAYAN’ generated significant Nelson rating when telecast on “Eye on Asia” in New York…”

‘RAMAYAN’ has been read in countless tongues, written and televised in myriad languages. It has found a home in simple villages and sophisticated cities all over the world. Since its telecast in Eighties ‘RAMAYAN’ has been hailed as a MODERN DAY MIRACLE. The media also hailed its director Ramanand Sagar, as modern day TULSIDAS and VALMIKI. Shobha Yatras and victory processions were held all over India to felicitate the man who made ‘RAMAYAN’ a miracle, who brought ‘RAMAYAN’ to every home. These processions these Shobha Yatras, these Honors and Awards were an everyday affair after the telecast of ‘RAMAYAN’.