By Himanshu Guru: Man is mortal. We very well know this statement to be an eternal truth. But still at times our mind and heart cannot accept this truth when a person like Dara Singh passes away. Yes, from the very inner core of our heart we love and respect Veteran Actor and Wrestler Dara Singh who departed his life at 7.30 A.M. this morning at his house in Mumbai.
Bollywood, his fans across the globe and his nears and deears lamented over his death. He was an icon of ‘Physical Strength’ for his well built physique and for his rare achievements in the field of World Wrestling, where he has brought laurels to the country for which the whole nation salutes him.
Dara Singh was the ‘World Champion’ in wrestling in the year 1968. He defeated Lou Thesz from America and earned this title, which every wrestler dreams to have as his lifetime achievement. His appearance in the ring has fascinated legendary personalities including former Indian Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Chaudhary Charan Singh, Morarji Desai, Chandrasekhar and Rajiv Gandhi, former President Giani Zail and so many other biggies.
In the early days of his life, even during the pre-independence period Dara used to play ‘Pehelwani’ at the ‘Akhda’ (Indian wrestling ring) on invitation from kings. He was also a crowd-puller at the carnivals for his aptitude. Recall that at that time filmdom was in a budding stage and people were engaged in getting entertainment from other sources, where “Pehelwani” was a leading source of entertainment with excitement (like we obtain watching a Football match these days). Dara Singh was a star then.
Later, the Strongman successfully competed against some of the greatest icons from the world wrestling community. In this connection he acquired the status of Malaysian Champion after defeating Tarlok Singh in Kuala Lumpur. He toured extensively to all Commonwealth countries and defeated Oriental Champion King Kong, George Gordienko (Canada), John Desilva (New Zealand) and finally held the Commonwealth Championship in 1959. Dara visited almost all east countries as a Professional Wrestler and finally returned to his Homeland where of course he earned the revered status of being the Indian National Champion in 1954. The invincible retired from Professional wrestling finally in 1983.
Dara Singh joined the silver screen world in 1952. He started his Indian Film career with the Dilip Kumar, Madhuwala starrer film ‘Sangdil’, then did ‘Pehli Jhalak’ in 1955, followed by ‘Jagga Daku’ in 1959 which was followed by a lot of films. The actor was last seen on the big screen for Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor starrer ‘Jab We Met’.
His most popular Indian films include King-Kong, Faulad, Rustom-E-Baghdad, Aandhi Aur Toofan, Hercules, Tarzan comes to Delhi, Tarzon and King Kong, Sher dil, The thief of Baghdad, Mera Naam Joker, Shiv Darshan, Mera Desh Mera Dharam, Dharmatma, Mard, Karma and Kal Ho naa Ho. Besides that Dara Singh has a long list of films as an actor. In most of the films, he has been portrayed as a strong man. More clearly his exceptional physique and physical abilities has been explored by the directors at large to produce something really great.
Dara Singh is familiar with the audience for his portrayal of the character ‘Hanuman’ in the epic TV serial ‘Ramayana’ by Ramanand Sagar.
For his strength he has also earned the title of ‘Rustam-e-Hind’. However, Dara Singh’s wide achievement was limited only up to him. Among his successor Bindu Dara Singh, his son is little known, who has done some films and TV series.
Dara Singh was born in a Sikh Jat family to Balwant Kaur and Surat Singh Randhawa on 19 November 1928 in the village Dharmuchak of Amritsar in Punjab. He was also nominated to the Rajya Sabha from BJP during August 2003 – August 2009.
Dara Singh was a great Actor, Wrestler, Director, Producer and Writer in one line.
The News Insight mourns for this great soul and pays tribute to Dara Singh.