Lalit Gupta
In total contrast to present day socio-cultural developments where abundant opportunities are available for young persons to pursue their heart’s desires as a vocation, no such options were there in 1950s, especially for those with inborn flair for performing and other arts.
Under the then sole focus of the middle class to look for ‘pucca’ jobs that ensured sustenance, the idea of opting for a full fledged career in fields of drama, acting etc. was like stirring up a hornet nest. With the result, despite having natural talent most of young persons with proven ‘artistic’ achievements either chose to bury calling of their hearts under the lifelong morass of dissatisfaction and emotional chaos or a few lucky ones were allowed by reluctant parents to pursue their passion as a hobby only, that too after they have had a regular employment.
Vijay Suri was one such talented individual, who fighting against all odds succeeded to leave an indelible mark on the cultural horizon of Jammu and Kashmir from 1950 till time of his death in 2004. A multifaceted personality, he was an accomplished stage, television and film actor, director and writer of repute who along with writing short stories, novels also wrote number of scripts for TV serials and documentaries.
Born in 1942, Vijay Suri’s father Ram Lal Suri and mother Brij Rani were refugees who after the holocaust of 1947 Partition had migrated from Mirpur to Jammu. As a child who spent his early years in Jullahaka Mohalla, he was known for undertaking daring and bold adventures. Attracted to action scenes in films, he would often plays mock sword fights with his friends. But a kind of restlessness marked his character which made him to seek new experiences.
The flip-flop journey of his early years included discontinuing studies after 8th standard to sit with his father on the shop or simply disappearing for few days from home and completing Matric examinations after a gap of few years. Vijay Suri’s childhood friends included Raghunandan Singh, Bali, Subhash Raizada, Mahesh Sharma, who also smitten by the muse remained dedicated to the art of drama.
As a youth Vijay Suri had the privilege of the association with Rattan Sharma and C. Parwana who were prominent personalities in the fields of theatre and Radio. Endowed with an impressive voice, Vijay Suri, along with doing regular stage plays also got associated with Radio as an approved voice for dramas and announcements etc. It was during this period that C. Parwana after discovering a flair for writing honed his skill as a writer. Thus started the actor Vijay Suri’s life-long journey as writer during which other than penning down Radio plays, he also wrote short stories and novels, along with umpteen scripts for TV serials and documentaries.
Born in Mirpur, brought-up in Jammu, well versed with Urdu language, Vijay Suri added a new fig in life in 1965 when he married co-stage actor Ratna Rani Razdan. The bold decision to marry out of caste also coincided with his buying Urdu newspaper Ujala, for which he had to sell family gold. Working as editor, reporter and sometimes as a hawker, his career as a journalist though intense was but short-lived, as he after few years he sold the newspaper.
In order to support his family, he first took up employment in State Information Department and then finally in Songs and Drama Division at Srinagar where he served till his retirement. The accident of employment at Srinagar proved a boon in disguise for Vijay Suri. First it gave him opportunity to pursue theater activities in the Valley. Second his wife, who now worked in Jagriti Niketan, Jammu as teacher, could visit Kashmir regularly along with her children and thus give them a feel of their maternal cultural roots.
Vijay Suri during his stay in Srinagar was instrumental in giving a new fillip to Ram Lila performances. Along with associates like Sujan Singh Rally, he added new elements which included special effects through sound recordings, bhajans, and songs besides introducing new characters. Reminiscing good old days, Ratna Rani (Razdan) Suri, who also occasionally played roles in Ram Lila, says that with Suri Sahib as the director, we use to do month-long rehearsals in the hall at upper story of Sanatan Dharma Sabha, Lal Chowk.
With opening of the Regional Television Station at Srinagar, Vijay Suri, who could also speak Kashmiri language with ease, was one of the most sought after actors. Playing variety of roles in locally produced serials, he became a household name for his flawless diction in Urdu, deep throated baritone voice and powerful acting. He became a role model for many local actors, many of whom consider him as guru. This was also his most prolific period of acting in stage plays. He won many best actor awards for enacting memorable roles in annual drama festivals both at Jammu and Srinagar.
Emboldened by his successful forays in acting, Vijay Suri in a bold initiative headed for Mumbai to try his luck as a film actor. Though he got roles in films like Prem Paigam, Bhed Bhav, Unchi Udaan, Heer Rahnja, Kalka, Murda Ki Jaan Khatre Mein, Agni, Mitti Mange Khoon and others, unfortunately none of these became a box-office hit. With the result, his dream of making big on the silver screen was not fulfilled and he returned back to J&K where ‘small screen’, the television and Radio once again lapped up his talent as an actor and writer. He also acted in number of tele-films including Mujhe Jawab Do, which was nominated for national award in 1985.
Due to 1990 turmoil in the Valley, he shifted to Jammu and completely engrossed himself in writing, acting, directing and producing serials, documentaries and other programs for DD Kashir, Srinagar and Jammu Doordarshan. Vijay Suri, who passed away in 2004, at the zenith of his creative career, will be remembered as an artiste and writer who invigorated cultural scene of Jammu and Kashmir by bringing alive on stage, TV screen and films, innumerable characters through his powerful acting and penning down scripts, short stories and novels that acted as mirror to contemporary life.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
