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An Epic Life: Ramanand Sagar: From Barsaat to Ramayan
On 25 January 1987, with the telecast of the very first episode of Ramayan, Indian television changed for all time to come. In a matter of weeks, the series became a national obsession. During the Ramayan slot, roads emptied out. No marriages and political rallies were scheduled for that time. More than three decades later, there has been nothing to match it.
Ramanand Sagar, the man behind the phenomenon and a successful filmmaker from Bombay, was among the first to recognise the immense power of television. He first made his mark as a writer in Raj Kapoor’s Barsat (1949). From 1961 to 1970, Sagar wrote, produced and directed six consecutive silver jubilee hits—Ghunghat, Zindagi, Arzoo, Ankhen, Geet and Lalkar.
An Epic Life: Ramanand Sagar, From Barsaat to Ramayan, written by his son, Prem Sagar, an award-winning cinematographer, is an intimate look at the life of a visionary. It traces Sagar’s life from his birth in Kashmir in 1917, his dramatic escape in 1947 when Pakistani tribesmen attacked the state, his arrival in Bombay and his subsequent glorious career—the crowning achievement of which was the smashing success of Ramayan.
Ramanand Sagar, the man behind the phenomenon and a successful filmmaker from Bombay, was among the first to recognise the immense power of television. He first made his mark as a writer in Raj Kapoor’s Barsat (1949). From 1961 to 1970, Sagar wrote, produced and directed six consecutive silver jubilee hits—Ghunghat, Zindagi, Arzoo, Ankhen, Geet and Lalkar.
An Epic Life: Ramanand Sagar, From Barsaat to Ramayan, written by his son, Prem Sagar, an award-winning cinematographer, is an intimate look at the life of a visionary. It traces Sagar’s life from his birth in Kashmir in 1917, his dramatic escape in 1947 when Pakistani tribesmen attacked the state, his arrival in Bombay and his subsequent glorious career—the crowning achievement of which was the smashing success of Ramayan.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 16, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 1, 2020
What a life he had. What a legend.
I never thought i would come across rags to rich story, India and Pakistan partition then Pakistani tribal invading Kashmir. This book goes to show that we should keep faith in divine in all circumstances and not lose any hope. It was really enlightening to know the story behind Ramayana and Shri Krishna. We also get to see political vibe that prevailed during the making of Ramayan and Shri Krishna show. Marvelous narration of Ramanand Sagar's life. Hats off to his son Prem Sagar for writing this book and i can see the research he did for this book.
I never thought i would come across rags to rich story, India and Pakistan partition then Pakistani tribal invading Kashmir. This book goes to show that we should keep faith in divine in all circumstances and not lose any hope. It was really enlightening to know the story behind Ramayana and Shri Krishna. We also get to see political vibe that prevailed during the making of Ramayan and Shri Krishna show. Marvelous narration of Ramanand Sagar's life. Hats off to his son Prem Sagar for writing this book and i can see the research he did for this book.
May 20, 2020
Amazing
I can only agree with what
… Jai Sagar Saheb’, Ali Peter John, the columnist for the Indian film trade weekly, Screen, hailed Ramanand Sagar as one born to make Ramayan. He wrote: ‘… Ramanand Sagar, who was given up to die as a tuberculosis (TB) patient once, was born to fulfil the God-given mission. He was not born to make all those innumerable films which have made him Ramanand Sagar, the well-known writer and filmmaker. He was born to make Ramayan in Kalyug at a time when it was needed the most. Sagar who wore a crown once now wears a halo. Men, who used to touch his feet with respect, now touch them with reverence. He is treated like one of God’s chosen ones …’
I can only agree with what
… Jai Sagar Saheb’, Ali Peter John, the columnist for the Indian film trade weekly, Screen, hailed Ramanand Sagar as one born to make Ramayan. He wrote: ‘… Ramanand Sagar, who was given up to die as a tuberculosis (TB) patient once, was born to fulfil the God-given mission. He was not born to make all those innumerable films which have made him Ramanand Sagar, the well-known writer and filmmaker. He was born to make Ramayan in Kalyug at a time when it was needed the most. Sagar who wore a crown once now wears a halo. Men, who used to touch his feet with respect, now touch them with reverence. He is treated like one of God’s chosen ones …’
April 12, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Respect to this great man.
Respect to this great man.
March 20, 2020
It’s a captivating read. Once I started it there was no way to put it down. It has been an eye opener in terms of the ordeals and some interesting hardworking stories with lots of divine intervention as per the author.
Sometimes I did feel that the spirituality went a little over the board However I do accept it as I believe in higher self.
It is a Interesting read in terms of reading the hardships and success of one of India’s most successful writer, producer, director and pioneer in giving television a recognition that it needed. It’s a story about a strong headed, humble yet firm , passionate and honest person.
Sometimes I did feel that the spirituality went a little over the board However I do accept it as I believe in higher self.
It is a Interesting read in terms of reading the hardships and success of one of India’s most successful writer, producer, director and pioneer in giving television a recognition that it needed. It’s a story about a strong headed, humble yet firm , passionate and honest person.
July 15, 2020
An amazing piece of writing about the life and times Shri Ramanand Sagar.
January 14, 2021
An Epic Life- Ramanand Sagar From Barasat to Ramayan by Prem Sagar- This book is a well- researched document on the life and time to Ramanand Sagar. The book traces the life of Dr Ramanand Sagar from his ancestors at Peshwar, Jammu and Kashmir, Bombay. His marriage, work as a clapper boy in the silent movie “Raiders of The Rail Road” in 1936, Dr. Ramanand Sagar rose to be a successful film maker, writer, director & producer to be reckoned with. The book is about the legendary man who once worked as clerk and soap vendor, journeying to Bombay creating his first film Barsaat which was a massive hit and several other silver jubilee hits like Ghunghat, Zindagi, Arzoo, Ankhen, Geet, Lalkar to making history with the creation of television History’s legendary RAMAYAN which as per BBC figures, had been viewed by over 650 million people worldwide of which, 40 million viewers regularly watched it on its first telecast. Setting a Limca Record for the “World’s Most Viewed Mythological Serial”. He not only mastered the art of cinema, but also entertained the masses in the long run. As an independent film writer he wrote about 29 films He established his own film production company “Sagar Art Corporation” in 1950. His first production was “MEHMAAN”, which was written, directed & produced by him. Later his group of companies produced over 25 motion pictures till 1984 with over 15 of them being big box-office bonanzas, some of them having crossed 75 weeks theatrically, and some have become evergreen hits in the annals of Indian cinema.
I am a Government servant. My office is in Collectors Office Campus at Mathura. Uttar Pradesh. For Janmastmi festival, about 10 lakh devotees visit Mathura and neighbouring temples for one week. I tried to find out which were the guests who had booked stay at Circuit House, Mathura. I was informed that Dr Ramanad Sagar has booked and he will visit Mathura on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmasthmi, 1988. I was informed that Dr Sagar has arrived in the evening and will visit Janmabhumi late in the evening. I welcomed him at Shrikrishna Janmabhoomi. When visited Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple (birth place of Lord Krishna) at about 8.00 PM. People from all over the world visit Mathura on this day to have darshan of the deities at various temples. There was so much rush of visitors and devotees in the city. I took him to the temple from the backside gate, where I used to live. When he viewed the vast temple hall and deities, he was wonder struck by the meticulous planning and design of the temple. Life and times of Shri Krishna, as depicted in Shrimad Bhagwat was picturized on the ceiling and walls of the temple. He recognized each incident from life of Shri Krishna and his eyes swelled with tears of happiness. He closed his eyes and went into Dhyan for a short moment. His Dhyan effected my conscience also. More devotees were entering and going out. I could not know that about 30 minutes had passed. Dr Sagar had planned to visit more temples. We came of the campus. He boarded the waiting car.
This incident encouraged me to read this book. The book states his days of struggle and how he faced them. It is motivational book and it a good read book for all.
I am a Government servant. My office is in Collectors Office Campus at Mathura. Uttar Pradesh. For Janmastmi festival, about 10 lakh devotees visit Mathura and neighbouring temples for one week. I tried to find out which were the guests who had booked stay at Circuit House, Mathura. I was informed that Dr Ramanad Sagar has booked and he will visit Mathura on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmasthmi, 1988. I was informed that Dr Sagar has arrived in the evening and will visit Janmabhumi late in the evening. I welcomed him at Shrikrishna Janmabhoomi. When visited Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple (birth place of Lord Krishna) at about 8.00 PM. People from all over the world visit Mathura on this day to have darshan of the deities at various temples. There was so much rush of visitors and devotees in the city. I took him to the temple from the backside gate, where I used to live. When he viewed the vast temple hall and deities, he was wonder struck by the meticulous planning and design of the temple. Life and times of Shri Krishna, as depicted in Shrimad Bhagwat was picturized on the ceiling and walls of the temple. He recognized each incident from life of Shri Krishna and his eyes swelled with tears of happiness. He closed his eyes and went into Dhyan for a short moment. His Dhyan effected my conscience also. More devotees were entering and going out. I could not know that about 30 minutes had passed. Dr Sagar had planned to visit more temples. We came of the campus. He boarded the waiting car.
This incident encouraged me to read this book. The book states his days of struggle and how he faced them. It is motivational book and it a good read book for all.
January 10, 2021
very good for life
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2021
The Author, Prem Sagar has applied manifold outlook to delve into the life of Ramanand Sagar.
The book takes you to a journey starting from pre-independance India and ending at post modern India while narrating the story of a showman. It traces Sagar’s life from his birth in Kashmir in 1917, his dramatic escape in 1947 when Pakistani tribesmen attacked the state, his arrival in Bombay and his subsequent glorious career—the crowning achievement of which was the smashing success of Ramayan.The portrayal of society and culture has been captured in detail.
The chapters deals initially from overcoming the disease of tuberculosis, birth of Ramanand Sagar, his family description, his struggle from ' Lahore to Bombay' making of his greatest directorial movies and finally his entry into the small screen with the greatest epic 'Ramayan'.
A heady mix of spirituality, Rags to Riches story, India-Pakistan Partition, Bollywood, Doordarshan politics and good story telling, with amazing research.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, honest in its rendering and simple in its language, the book is a must read.
The book takes you to a journey starting from pre-independance India and ending at post modern India while narrating the story of a showman. It traces Sagar’s life from his birth in Kashmir in 1917, his dramatic escape in 1947 when Pakistani tribesmen attacked the state, his arrival in Bombay and his subsequent glorious career—the crowning achievement of which was the smashing success of Ramayan.The portrayal of society and culture has been captured in detail.
The chapters deals initially from overcoming the disease of tuberculosis, birth of Ramanand Sagar, his family description, his struggle from ' Lahore to Bombay' making of his greatest directorial movies and finally his entry into the small screen with the greatest epic 'Ramayan'.
A heady mix of spirituality, Rags to Riches story, India-Pakistan Partition, Bollywood, Doordarshan politics and good story telling, with amazing research.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, honest in its rendering and simple in its language, the book is a must read.
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July 28, 2020How to read this ?
June 8, 2022
Nice
July 1, 2023
Awesome
January 12, 2021
One may find it bit superstitious, but it's a welcome read to know about life of the legend from his son himself.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews