Om Puri pays tribute to stage actor

CHANDIGARH: Paying tributes to Punjabi theatre icon Harpal Tiwana, renowned Hindi film actor Om Puri on Thursday urged the Punjabis world over to come forward and contribute for the foundation set up in the memory of the late thespian."Let us all contribute to realise the unfinished dreams of that great man who died a premature death (Harpal died in a road accident last year)... Harpal Tiwana could have been a big name today in Hindi cinema, but the versatile actor decided to stay back and contribute for theatre in Punjab," Puri told reporters here. Comparing Tiwana with national theatre personality E Alkazi, he gave all credit to Harpal for shaping his future. "Tiwana sahib was like a father figure to me. He groomed me and showed me the way to National School of Drama. I learnt about theatre, about life from him. He was a man who was so deeply rooted to Punjab and he refused to join commercial cinema because he had committed himself to promote Punjabi culture and language," Puri said. He also lauded Tiwana for his efforts for bringing sophistication into Punjabi theatre. "People like me and Raj Babbar are his offshoots. Tiwana sahib, who was a very rounded theatre personality will never die, he will live through us," he said, calling upon the members of his film fraternity in particular and people in general to contribute for the Harpal Tiwana foundation, of which he is a trustee.Manpal Tiwana, the late icon''s son said the foundation would establish a museum showcassing the theatre personality''s works. Besides this, an experimental theatre would be set up, he said and appealed to the government to give land for the same.

TOI

Om Puri pays tribute to stage actor