73 yr old Garhwal, Uttarakhand’s Dada Saheb Phalke Parashar Gaur in ICU after being infected with Corona

The Dada Saheb Phalke of Uttarakhand who created history by producing and directing first multicolour Garhwali feature film in 1983 surprising n impressing one and all facing all odds with limited budget, an outstanding feat indeed is today in precarious healrh condition in intensive care unit in a hospital infected with Covid 19. He is 73 year old. A veteran Garhwali poet, writer and theatre activist during his youthful days Parashar Gaur was born in 1947, the year India sough leberation from foreign yoke in village Mirchaura, in Aswalsiun patti, in Pauri Garhwal district. He served in Delhi’s constitution club as its manager during the nineties n lateron shifted to Brampton Canada with his family.

His father late Pt. Tika Ram Gaur was a well-known astrologer and was settled in Delhi. Later Mr. Parashar Gaur created “Garhwali Shahitya Puruskar” in memory of his father, a first ever award for literature in Garhwali dialect.

His Basic education was held in Retholi, sola and Mandaneshar in Garhwal. After Passing Middle his father called him to Delhi for higher education. He was admitted In Mata Sundari Higher Secondary School at Rouse Avenue in Delhi, but he quit Day school to support his family by working during the day and educating himself at night as a private candidate. He did his 10th and 12th standard as a private candidate and got his BA degree from Lala Lajpat Rai Degree College Shahibabad, U.P.

At the age of 10 he made his theatre debut as a child actor “Rohtash” in a play called “Raja Harish Chander” organized by his village folk at his village. During his school days he participated in various cultural programs.

In 1967 when he was 20 years old he wrote his first Garhwali Full length Drama called “Auns Ki Raat” which was staged on theatre for the first time On 28th February 1969 under the banner “Pushpanjali Rangshala” . Since than he has written more than a dozens plays among them such as Choli, Gaway, Rehearshal, Timla ka timla Khtya and were repeated more than 10 times in theatres in and around Delhi.

As a poet he has written more than 60 songs which were broadcast by AIR, Delhi. His has also written more 300 Garhwali poems which have been published in different newspapers and magazines.
Parashar Gaur had been visiting Delhi and his ancestral village, Mirchaura every year and have renovated his house there. He has tremendous affection n nostalgia for Uttarakhand n its culture and while living in Bramptin, Canada he is an active founder member of Uttarakhand association of Canada very often posting his creative poems in regional dialect in social media, constantly being in touch with friends and accquaintances of literary and poetic circles in India n Garhwal, Uttarakhand.

Having immense interest in regional film making Parashar Gaur took a huge challege and despite facing tremendous challenges came out with the first ever Garhwali feature film setting a historuc record of sorts called JAGWAL ( WAIT) which was a block bustre. We pray for his speedy recovery.