Satirist Shail Chaturvedi passes away

Kshitij Bisen

Was suffering from chronic renal failure

For the devotees of Hindi literature, especially of poetic satire, the familiar drawling voice, the laughing Buddhaesque stage-presence and the paan-dripping grin is lost to posterity. Shail Chaturvedi, one of India’s most-loved Hindi poets, humourist, lyricist and actor, passed away at his Malad residence in the wee hours on October 29.

He was 71.

“He was suffering from chronic renal failure and other ailments,” said his nephew, Akash Chaturvedi.

Chaturvedi, who started out as a lecturer at Allahabad University, had for long entertained audiences with his tongue-in-cheek political commentary. A contemporary of humourists like Kaka Hathrasi, Pradeep Chaubey and Ashok Chakradhar, Chaturvedi formed the A-league of hasya kavis. His works took a candid dig at the changing face of Indian politics through the 70’s and the 80’s. Chaturvedi was well-known for his cynical approach to everyday life. He had a quirk ready for anything odd that caught his eye.

When colour television was still a novel concept, Chaturvedi was synonymous with the annual kavi sammelan broadcast on Doordarshan every Holi. The exchange of repartees with fellow poets never failed to tickle even the weakest of the funny bones. When he was done having audiences at kavi sammelans in splits, he graced the small-screen with his large frame.

His roles in Bollywood movies like Uphaar (1971), Chitchor (1976), Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986) and Kareeb (1998) showcased his flair for comedy.

Chaturvedi is survived by his wife Daya and three sons. Friends from the film fraternity and the world of literature paid their last respects to Chaturvedi at his home on Monday morning.