Dara Singh

Dara Singh Randhawa (born Deedar Singh Randhawa; 19 November 1928 – 12 July 2012) was an Indian professional wrestler, actor, director and politician. He started acting in 1952 and was the first sportsman to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha (upper house) of India.[3] He worked as Hindi and Punjabi film producer, director and writer, and he acted in films and television. His role of Hanuman in the film Bajrangbali (1976) and in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan made him popular.[4] Singh was inducted into the Legacy Category of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018.[5]

For other uses, see Dara Singh (disambiguation).

Dara Singh
Dara Singh
Singh at Pran's birthday party in February 2010
Born
Deedar Singh Randhawa

(1928-11-19)19 November 1928
Dharmuchak, Amritsar District, Punjab, British India
(now Punjab, India)[1]
Died12 July 2012(2012-07-12) (aged 83)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
NationalityIndian
Occupation(s)Professional wrestler, actor, politician
Years active1947–1983 (wrestler)
1950–2012 (actor)
2003–2009 (politician)
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
TitleRustam-e-Hind
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Spouses
Bachno Kaur
​
(m. 1942⁠–⁠1952)​
    Surjit Kaur
    ​
    (m. 1961)​
    Children6, including:
    Vindu Dara Singh
    FamilySee Randhawa family
    Ring name(s)Dara Singh
    Billed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
    Billed weight127 kg (280 lb)
    Billed fromPunjab, India
    Trained byHarnam Singh
    Debut1948
    Retired1983
    Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
    In office
    27 August 2003 – 26 August 2009
    Websitedara-singh.com

    Early life

    Singh was born in a Jat Sikh family as Deedar Singh Randhawa to Surat Singh Randawa and Balwant Kaur on 19 November 1928[6][7] in the village of Dharmuchak in the Majha area of the Punjab region of India. At the time, it was still under British Raj colonial rule.[8][9]

    Career

    Professional wrestling
    Singh wrestling King Kong at JWA in 1955

    He came to Singapore in 1947, where he worked in a drum-manufacturing mill and began his wrestling training under Harnam Singh in the Great World Stadium.[10] As an adult he was 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall,[2] weighed 127 kilograms (280 lb) and had a chest measurement of 53 inches (130 cm). Due to his physique, he was encouraged to take up pehlwani, an Indian style of wrestling, in which he trained for several years. After switching to professional wrestling, he competed around the world with opponents such as Bill Verna, Firpo Zbyszko, John Da Silva, Rikidōzan, Danny Lynch and Ski Hi Lee. His flooring of King Kong is still remembered.[11]

    In 1951, Dara Singh lost a match in Greeco Roman Style with Brahmdev Mishra of Gorakhpur in stadium located at Dahrmtalla maidan Culcutta.[12][13][14][15][16][17]

    In 1954 Dara competed in the Rustam-e-Hind (Champion of India) tournament where he won the final by defeating Tiger Joginder Singh and received a silver cup from Maharaja Hari Singh.[18] In 1959, he won the Commonwealth Championship by defeating George Gordienko at Calcutta. On 29 May 1968 in Bombay, his victory over Lou Thesz earned him the World championship.[19][20] According to Thesz, Singh was "an authentic wrestler, was superbly conditioned" and had no problem losing to the latter.[21] His last tournament, where he announced his retirement, was held in Delhi in June 1983.[22]

    Films and television

    Singh left his village for Singapore in 1948.[9] He started his career as an actor in 1952 with Sangdil.[23] He was a stunt film actor for many years and played his first lead role in Babubhai Mistry's film King Kong (1962).[24] From around 1963 he partnered often with Mumtaz, with whom he performed in 16 Hindi films. The couple became the highest-paid B-grade actors, with Singh receiving nearly four lakh rupees per film.[25]

    He then went on to do television in the late 1980s, where he played the role of Hanuman in the television adaptation of the Hindu epic Ramayan.[26] He also had roles in numerous films, such as Veer Bheem Sen and Ramayan, and in other television serials. He starred as Bhima in various Mahabharata movies, besides also playing Balram, he also starred as Shiva in various theological movies.

    His last Hindi movie was Jab We Met and the last Punjabi movie released before his illness was Dil Apna Punjabi. He acted in National Award-winning film Main Maa Punjab Dee directed by Balwant Singh Dullat. He directed seven Punjabi films including Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun, Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar, Dhyanu Bhagat and Rab Dian Rakhan. He also directed two films in Hindi; Bhakti Mein Shakti and Rustom (1982), which were produced and directed under the banner "Dara Film" which he set up in 1970.[24] Dara Singh acted as a wrestler named Dara Singh in a Malayalam film Mutharam Kunnu (PO).

    Dara Studio

    Singh was the owner of Dara Studio[27] at Mohali, District Mohali, Punjab. Dara Film Studio was founded in 1978. The studio was operational from 1980 as a film studio.

    Politics

    Singh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in January 1998.[28] He became the first sportsperson to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha – the upper house of the Parliament of India. He served in that role between 2003 and 2009. He was also president of the Jat Mahasabha.[23][29]

    Comics

    Singh's son Vindu Dara Singh, launched first comic book The Epic Journey of the Great Dara Singh at Oxford Bookstore in New Delhi in February 2019.[30]

    Personal life

    Singh married twice. He had three sons and three daughters, including Parduman and Vindu Dara Singh.[1] His brother Randhawa was also a wrestler and actor.

    Death

    Singh was admitted into Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital on 7 July 2012 following a massive heart attack. Two days later, it was confirmed that he had brain damage due to the lack of blood flow.[31] He was discharged from hospital on 11 July 2012, citing that nothing can be done to prolong life, and died the next day at his home in Mumbai.[32] He was cremated at Juhu crematorium.[33][34]

    Awards and recognition

    In 1996 Singh was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. In 2016, Dara was included in the list India's top wrestlers of all time.[35] On 7 April 2018 WWE inducted him in WWE Hall of Fame Legacy class of 2018.[5]

    Filmography
    Year Title Director Producer Notes Ref.
    1970 Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar Yes No
    1973 Mera Desh Mera Dharam Yes No [24]
    1974 Bhagat Dhanna Jatt Yes No
    1976 Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun Yes No
    1978 Dhyanu Bhagat Yes No
    1978 Bhakti Mein Shakti Yes Yes [24][36]
    1982 Rustom Yes No [24]
    1994 Karan No Yes
    Acting roles
    YearTitleRoleNotes Ref.
    1952 Sangdil [23]
    1954 Pehli Jhalak Wrestler Dara Singh [24]
    1960 Engal Selvi Tamil film [37]
    1962 King Kong Jingu / King Kong [24]
    1963 Faulad Faulad Singh [24]
    Rustom-E-Baghdad Dara/Rustom-E-Baghdad [23]
    Awara Abdulla Abdulla [26]
    1964 Samson Samson [24]
    Aaya Toofan Deepu
    Jagga Jagga Daku
    Aandhi Aur Toofan [26]
    Darasingh: Ironman Dara Singh [26]
    1965 Rustom-E-Hind [24]
    Boxer [26]
    Tarzan comes to Delhi Tarzan [38]
    Sher Dil [23]
    Raaka [23]
    Saat Samundar Paar
    Mahabharat Bheem
    Sikandar-E-Azam Alexander [23][24]
    Lootera [26]
    1966 Dulla Bhatti Dulla Bhatti Punjabi film
    1966 Naujawan [24]
    1966 Veer Bajrang [24]
    1966 Husn Ka Ghulam
    1966 Dada
    1966 Daku Mangal Singh Daku Mangal Singh / Kumar Hindi film [39]
    1966 Jawan Mard
    1967 Chand Par Chadayee
    Do Dushman
    Watan Se Door [23]
    Nasihat
    1968 Jung Aur Aman [26]
    1968 Balram Shri Krishna Balram
    1969 Danka
    Thief of Baghdad [24]
    Faulad Ki Aulad
    Toofan Badal
    1970 Choron Ka Chor Ashok
    Hudd kar di Devendra Singh Dhanowa
    Ilzaam Raju/Kishan
    Mera Naam Joker Sher Singh [23][24]
    Nanak Dukhiya Sab Sansar Kartar Singh Punjabi film [26]
    1971 Kabhi Dhoop Kabhi Chhaon [26]
    Ramu Ustad Ramu
    Tulsi Vivah Bhagwan Shiv
    Anand Pahalwan [24]
    1972 Aankhon Aankhon Mein Pahelwan [26]
    Hari Darshan Bhagwan Shiv
    Lalkaar
    Mele Mitran De Punjabi film
    Sultana Daku
    1975 Warrant Pyaara Singh [26]
    1973 Hum Sab Chor Hain
    Mera Desh Mera Dharam
    1974 Kuwara Baap [24]
    Amar Saheed Bhagat Singh Kaher Singh
    Bhagat Dhanna Jatt Dhanna Jatt
    Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam Daku Daulay Khan
    Har Har Mahadev Bhagwan Shiv [26]
    Satguru Teri Oat Punjabi film
    Kisan Aur Bhagwan Dhanna
    Zehreela Insaan
    1975 Dharam Karam Ustaad ji [23]
    Dharmatma Pahelwan
    1976 Bajrangbali Hanuman [24][26]
    Lambhardarni Lambardar/Dharma Punjabi film
    Raakhi Aur Rifle Ganga Singh
    Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun Kartar Singh Punjabi film
    Apna Khoon Apna Dushman
    1977 Jai Bolo Chakradhari
    Jai Mata Di Balbir Punjabi film
    Ram Bharose Sardar Vikram Singh
    1978 Bhakti Mein Shakti Dyanu Bhakt
    Dhyanu Bhagat Dhyanu Bhagat Punjabi film
    Nalayak Pahelwan [24]
    Sone Ka Dil Lohe Ke Haath Nihalchand
    Giddha Bhalwaan Dulla ji
    1979 Chambal Ki Raani
    Jhoota Kahin Ka Bodybuilder, Dance partner in Item Song
    1980 Shiv Shakti (1980 film)
    Banmanush
    1981 Guru Suleman Chela Pahelwan
    Khel Muqaddar Ka
    1982 Main Intequam Loonga Ajay Kumar [24]
    Rustom Rustom Mangal Singh
    1983 Babul Da Vehra Punjabi film
    Unkhili Muttiar Mechanic Punjabi film
    1984 Maya Bazar Ghatotkach Gujarati film
    Aan Aur Shaan
    1985 Mutharamkunnu P.O. Himself Malayalam film
    Mard Raja Azaad Singh [23][24]
    Vikram Aur Betaal Virvar TV; 2 episodes
    1986 Karma Dharma [24][26]
    Bulekha
    Krishna-Krishna Bhagwan Shri Balram
    Ramayan Hanuman TV series [23]
    Sajna Sath Nibhana Joseph
    Maaveeran Tamil film adaptation of Mard [41]
    1988 Maula Jatt Maula Jatt & Dharma
    Paanch Fauladi Ustadji (Fauladi #1)
    Mahaveera Delar Singh
    Mahabharat Hanuman TV series [26]
    1989 Shehzaade Jailor
    Elaan-E-Jung Bheema [26]
    Gharana Vijay Singh Pahelwan
    1990 Tera Mera Pyar Preet's father [26]
    Naaka Bandi Dharam Singh [24][26]
    Pratiggya Daku Delavar Singh
    Sheran De Putt Sher Subedaar
    1991 Dharam Sankat Dara (the dacoit)
    Ajooba| Maharaja Karan Singh [24]
    Maut Ki Sazaa Pyara Singh
    1992 Prem Deewane Loha Singh
    1993 Bechain Captain Dara
    Anmol Dara Shamsher, Zafar's father
    1994 Karan
    1995 Ram Shastra Police Commissioner [24]
    Jai Veer Hanuman Kesari TV serial
    1997 Lav Kush Hanuman [24]
    Main Maa Punjab Dee Punjabi film
    1998 Guru Gobind Singh
    Auto Driver Telugu film [42]
    Qahar Guest appearance
    1999 Dillagi Veer Singh [24][26]
    Zulmi Baba Thakur
    Door Nahin Nankana Bhakhtawar Singh
    Hudd Kar Di Devender Singh Dhanwa/Papaji TV series
    2000 Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge Sapna's grandfather Guest appearance [24][26]
    2001 Farz Tayaji
    2002 Shararat Mr. Gujral [43]
    2003 Kal Ho Naa Ho Pritam Chaddha [26]
    Border Hindustan Ka Jamail Singh
    2004 Family Business TV series
    2006 Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa Amardeep Sehgal (Dadaji) TV series [44]
    Dil Apna Punjabi Hardam Singh [45]
    2007 Jab We Met Geet's grandfather [23]
    2012 Ata Pata Lapata Guest appearance

    Championships and accomplishments

    References
    1. "Dara Singh Passes Away". The Times of India. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 16 September 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
    2. "Wrestler Finds Acting Easy, Is Idol Of India's Morie Fans, p.2". Bombay: The Milwaukee Journal. 9 May 1966.
    3. "Remembering Dara Singh: 13 facts about India's most-loved wrestler". India Today. 19 November 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
    4. "Dara Singh: The original muscle man of Bollywoo d". The Economic Times. PTI. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
    5. "WWE inducts Dara Singh in WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018". India Today. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
    6. "Obituary: Dara Singh - the champion loses his final fight". Hindustan Times. IANS. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
    7. Kahol, Vikas (13 July 2012). "People at ancestral village remember legendary wrestler and film actor Dara Singh". India Today. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
    8. Lentz, Harris M. (2013). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2012. McFarland & Company. p. 266. ISBN 978-0786470631. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
    9. Rana, Yudhvir (13 July 2012). "Little Dara holds ray of hope in wrestler's village". The Times of India. TNN. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
    10. ""Meri Atmakatha" (Autobiography)". Dara Singh. 1989. Archived from the original on 20 November 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
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    12. "The Wrestler's Body". publishing.cdlib.org. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
    13. "City duel that 'broke' Dara - Fans recall champ's stint in akhara on the bank of the Hooghly". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
    14. Gupta, Nitish (11 December 2019). "गोरखपुर के इस लाल ने चंद मिनटों में पहलवान दारा सिंह को दी थी पटखनी." Gorakhpur Live. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
    15. Śaharanāmā Gorakhapura. Veda Prakāśa Pāṇḍeya, वेद प्रकाश पाण्डेय (Prathama saṃskaraṇa ed.). Nayī Dillī. 2017. ISBN 978-93-5229-698-9. OCLC 993096342.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)
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    44. "Eijaz Khan talks about Dara Singh". Mumbai: Mid-Day. 13 July 2012. Archived from the original on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
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    46. "Stan Neilson - OWW". Archived from the original on 27 June 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
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    Further reading

    Autobiography
    • Dara Singh Meri Atmkatha (en. My Autobiography by Dara Singh) 1993 Praveen Prakashan
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