Shadi Lal Koul

Shadi Lal Koul was born on 4 January 1954,[1] in Chotta Bazar, Srinagar. He completed his education in Kashmir and developed a keen interest in theatre and acting while growing up. In 1974, he and Abdul Rahim Kuchay founded Yasmeen Dramatic Club.[2] He also founded Kali Das Theatre, which is one of the oldest theatre groups of Kashmir.

His first play was Yi Janam Ti Su Janam directed by Jai Kishan Zutshi.[3] The Tassruf play in 1975[1] bagged him his first best actor award. He also appeared in Tratte Buzun, Laash Ghar, Dastar, Cactus, Guributh, Local Taxes Extra, Ye zanam su zanam, Machama, Tasruff, Out of Date, Zaher, Bi chaddath ni, Tijaratuk Aasan Tareeki, Zalur, Premnath vs Premnath etc.

In the 1980s, he became a household name through the TV series Shabrang, which appeared from 1981 to 1983.[4] His other hit television serials included Rangan Heund Rang, Cherry Treuch, Ghulam Begum Baadshah, Tijarratuk Aasan Tarikaa, Gaash Innuss Taam and Rustam Gota.[5]

He also acted in two Hindi serials Gul Gulshan Gulfaam and Katha Sagar, which were broadcast on national television.[6]

Shadi Lal Koul was married to Lalita Koul in 1980. They have two sons, Ajay Koul and Vijay Koul and a daughter Shalini Koul. An older son, Ajay Koul, died of cancer at age 18.[1] Shadi Lal Koul was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2016 and underwent chemotherapy.

It was reported in the media on 12 July 2020 that his cancer had relapsed for the second time since 2016 and that he had been hospitalised for six days. He died, in coma, at 2.45am IST at his residence Durga Nagar, Bantalab, Jammu. He was cremated at Bantalab crematorium in Jammu the same day.[5]