Ved Rahi


Ved Rahi an Indian film director and novelist, was born in Jammu on 22 May 1933. His father, Lala Mulk Raj Saraf, had the distinction of starting, in 1924, the first ever newspaper in the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir called 'Ranbir'. Inspired by the family environment, Ved Rahi began writing in Urdu from the early days. Later, he took to writing in Dogri and Hindi as well.

The author has to his credit 7 published novels, 3 collections of short stories and 2 anthologies of poetry in Dogri language. He has also published several novels, short story collections and anthologies of poetry in Hindi and Urdu. His novel, Lal Ded is a re-creation of the Life of Lal Ded as seen through the author's eyes. It is available in Dogri and has been translated to Hindi and other Indian and International Languages also.
Ved Rahi's contribution to the Bollywood film industry is significant. He has written stories, film-scripts, dialogues for 25 Hindi feature films and directed 5 films. He has also scripted and directed numerous documentaries, tele-serials and short films. Gul Gulshan Gulfam is one of his most popular TV Serial. He also made the film Veer Savarkar, a bio-epic on the life of Indian revolutionary Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
In 1983, Sahitya Akademi awarded Ved Rahi for his Dogri novel, Aale. The Akademi also made a documentary film on his life and contribution to literature.
The Government of Maharashtra conferred on him the award of ‘Maharashtra Gaurav’ in 1990.
In 2011, the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan honoured him with the prestigious Maha Pandit Rahul Sankritayayan award.
In 2012, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir gave him the Lifetime Achievement Award.