Anil Dharker passes into the ages

Columnist and editor Anil Dharker passed away in Mumbai on Friday.

Dharker, 74, was the founder and director of the Mumbai International Literary Festival, held in November every year. He was also the founder and director of Literature Live! which holds literary evenings throughout the year in the city.

He underwent a bypass procedure at a Mumbai hospital on Thursday and died there on Friday morning, a colleague said.

Over a five-decade-long illustrious career, Dharker had been a columnist and writer, an architect, a member of the advisory committee of the film censor board and more.

Dharker had been the editor of a variety of publications, starting with Debonair, Mid-Day and Sunday Mid-Day; The Independent, a morning broadsheet from the Times of India group and The Illustrated Weekly of India.

He was a columnist for The Indian Express newspaper and author of The Romance Of Salt, a book on Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi March.

Dharker had also worked as a television show producer and anchor, and head of a news television channel.

He was a member of the advisory boards of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Doordarshan, the Children's Film Society of India and several film funds for the production of films in India.

He is survived by his daughter, the actress Ayesha Dharker.

Expressing grief over Dharker's demise, columnist Bachi Karkaria tweeted: 'Extremely saddened by the passing of the many talented Anil Dharker. I can safely say no other Indian Litfest curator had his deep, emotional commitment or drive. Knew him for well nigh 50 years. Flourish as much up there, dear Anil.'

In her tribute to Dharker, fellow author and columnist Shobhaa De tweeted: 'Goodbye dearest Anil. An elegant mind, a stylish writer, and a loyal friend. You will be missed by all those whose lives you touched. RIP.'

Lyricist and censor board chief Prasoon Joshi tweeted, 'Saddened to hear about Anil Dharker passing away. Will miss and cherish the discussions we had about life. A stimulating mind, nurturer of literature and art who thrived on ideas.'