Death, no matter how unavoidable, is always a terrible awakening. On June 11, 2023, the world remembers Sidhu Moosewala on his birthday and another well-known figure, actor, director, writer, and producer Mangal Dhillon. Mangal Dhillon died today in Ludhiana after a long fight with cancer.
Dhillon’s Death Is A Personal Loss
It is a personal tragedy for Chandigarh and Punjab that Dhillon has passed away. He discovered his vocation in the halls of Panjab University’s Indian Department of Theatre. He began his career in theatrical arts on the department stage. Here he recognized his voice, strong and clear, a baritone that was difficult to forget.
Here, he developed his ‘English’ language skills, learned the craft, and realized his full potential. He also learned life’s subtler nuances and lessons. At Tagore Theatre, “Theatrewala Urf Pagal Hai,” his theatrical venture, continues to have an impact.
Atamjit Singh Is In Grief
Atamjit Singh, a Punjabi dramatist and recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award, mourns.
“So many of our artists have moved to Mumbai, but the only two people I can count who remained rooted and true to their land were Balraj Sahni and Mangal Dhillon. I am deeply saddened by his demise…such a wonderful, handsome, distinguished man, and what a voice. I was impressed with his acting skills and his unparalleled commitment to theatre, how he conceived, wrote, acted, and produced his plays. One play that sticks out in my memory is Sandhya Chaya staged at the Indira Holiday Home 30-35 years back. The play dealt with the loneliness of an old couple whose children have moved overseas…the pain and angst he brought out was piercing. He will be missed.”
Dhillon Pursued His Interest
Although he was born in Wander Jattana, an area close to Kotkapura in the Fardikot region, he graduated from Mukstar College despite being a “village boy who barely scraped through his academics.”
Dhillon’s father had a sizable landholding in the Uttar Pradesh region close to Lakhimpur Kheri. His father encouraged him to pursue a career in law or police. However, a disinterested Dhillon had other ideas. He said that before falling in love with theatre here and even founding his company, Natyalya, in 1982, he was either a radio broadcaster or a teacher.
In one of his conversations, he talked about how he had a falling out with his father. He arrived in Chandigarh destitute, and how the department helped him become an actor. He received his gold medal in this subject and was a member of the thespian and Padma Shri awardee Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry’s debut play, ‘Matiya Burj,’ which was based on the Japanese film Rashomon.
Neelam Remembers Dhillon
“Mangal did the lights for my production, the first I attempted after I moved to Chandigarh. It was 1984, and there he was, passionately invested in the art to the point that it made him volatile too. Dhillon was engaged in every aspect of the work, and we did another play together, Kissa Heer te Ranjhe Da. He wrote some scenes, and I realized how talented he was…acting, writing, and production. Mangal was rooted, especially in the language. He understood characterization, language, and emotions. He moved to Mumbai, worked there too, and seemed committed to his family and work, but I feel a man of his brilliance never made it big, never got the due his talent deserved, which is sad,” Neelam remembers of her long association with Dhillon.
Dhillon’s Works
The year was the late 1980s. Dhillon was a part of the golden content-rich age of Indian television when it was generating some of the greatest revolutionary serials. He shone out in roles such as Lubhaya Ram in Buniyaad, Raja Thakur in Yug, Sumer Rajvansh in Junoon, Col Hoshiar Singh in Param Vir Chakra, and Maulana Azad in Maulana Azad. He was similarly good in Ghutan, Katha Sagar, Khoon Bhari Maang, and Train to Pakistan.
Dhillon, who moved between Punjab and England, became interested in spirituality, philosophy, and Gurbani throughout the years. He established a production firm and produced the historical film Khalsa. He proceeded to create documentaries and movies about Gurbani, holy religious practices, healing abilities, and drug usage, always pushing people, particularly young people, to take the straight road and turn to spirituality. Dhillon said your universe is within you. Mangal Dhillon, may you rest in peace.
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