News Broadcasting
Manohar Singh, one of Indian TV’s original patriarchs
MUMBAI: Manohar Singh was one of the first major theatre artistes to make the shift to the small screen as early as 1990, while satellite television was still a blink on the electronic horizon in the country.
Best remembered for portraying roles of the iron willed patriarch in several serials, Singh brought a touch of theatre professionalism and acting calibre to Indian television. Producer actor Neena Gupta, with whom he worked in several serials including Dard and Palcchin, remembers him as an actor with a beautiful sense of dialogue delivery.
Described as a shining example of toil, tenacity and talent, Singh was last seen on the big screen in a bit role as Pooja Bhatt’s father in law in Rahul Bose’s Everybody Says I’m Fine. Singh, 64, passed away on Thursday morning at the Apollo Hospitals, Delhi, after a protracted battle with lung cancer.
A graduate of the National School of Drama, he started off with a role in Bertolt Brecht’s Caucasian Chalk Circle in 1968-69 while still in his first year. Theatre director Amal Allana says the integrity he brought to his work was simply stupendous.
Best known for his performances in the Ebrahim Alkazi directed Tughlaq as the despotic king, as Jimmy Potter in Look Back in Anger, in Dante’s Death, Mohan Rakesh’s Adhe Adhure, Sandhya Chaya and other plays such as Nagamandala, King Lear, Mother Courage (where he played Mother Courage) and as “Chanakya” in Mudra Rakhshas, Singh also essayed strong roles in several Hindi films.
TV serial director Feisal Alkazi, who worked with Singh in serials Mullah Nasiruddin and Raj Se Swaraj says he had a very detailed approach to acting. “When I was handling costumes for these serials, he would get into every little bit of his own outfit. From the belt he would have to wear to the wig and down to his footwear he wanted to know everything. And he managed to carry off those outfits, unlike a lot of actors who don’t know how to handle elaborate costumes,” Alkazi has been quoted as saying.
A soft spoken actor, theatre remained Singh’s first love. Among his performances on television are Dard, Gumraah, Palchhin, Raag Durbari and Mahayagya. In a tribute, I&B minister Sushma Swaraj has said that his roles will continue to motivate upcoming film and stage artists.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
