Ghanashyam Nayak (12 May 1944 – 3 October 2021) was an Indian drama, film and television actor. He first achieved fame as a child artist, in the 1960 movie Masoom, and the song "Nani Teri Morni Ko Mor Le Gaye". His last memorable role was of Natwarlal Prabhashankar Undhaiwala a.k.a. "Nattu Kaka" in ''

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah ''Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah'' (), often abbreviated as ''TMKOC'', is an Indian sitcom and Indian comedy based on the weekly column ''Duniya Ne Undha Chasma'' by Tarak Mehta for the magazine '' Chitralekha''. Produced by Asit Kumarr Modi ...

''.

Early life

Nayak was born on 12 May 1944 in Undhai village in

Mehsana district Mehsana district (alternate spelling "Mahesana") is one of the 33 districts of Gujarat state in western India. Mehsana city is the administrative headquarters of this district. The district has a population of over 1.8 million and an area of over ...

. He was son of Ranglal Nayak who was associated with Gujarati drama as a music director.

Career

He started as a child artist in dramas and Hindi films and gradually worked towards comedic and serious roles. He also popularly cast in

Bhavai Bhavai, also known as ''Vesha'' or ''Swang'', is a popular folk theatre form of western India, especially in Gujarat. Etymology ''Bhavai'' may derive from the Sanskrit word ''Bhava'', meaning expression or emotion. It is also associated wit ...

roles. He played a Bhavai actor in

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam ''Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'', released internationally as ''Straight From the Heart'', is a 1999 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama musical film directed, co-written, and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The film stars Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn ...

with

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (; Rai; born 1 November 1973) is an Indian actress who is primarily known for her work in Hindi and Tamil language, Tamil films. Rai won the Miss World 1994 pageant and later established herself as one of the most-popu ...

. He had appeared in approximately 100 Gujarati and Hindi films and around 350 Hindi television series. He also acted in more than 100 Gujarati stage plays. He gave playback in more than 12 Gujarati films with maestros like

Asha Bhosle Asha Bhosle (; ; born 8 September 1933) is an Indian playback singer, entrepreneur, actress and television personality who predominantly works in Indian cinema. Known for her versatility, she has been described in the media as one of the ...

Mahendra Kapoor Mahendra Kapoor (9 January 1934 – 27 September 2008) was an Indian playback singer. In a long career spanning decades, his repertoire included popular songs such as ''Chalo ekbaar phir se Ajnabi ban jayen hum dono'' ( Gumrah) and ''Neele Gagan ...

. He also dubbed more than 350 Gujarati films.

Death and funeral

Speaking to ''ETimes'', his son Vikas mentioned that the treatment of the cancer was tough since there was no set line of medicine considering it was a rare form of cancer. Even though the chemotherapy worked for some time and it seemed like it showed results, Nayak's health kept deteriorating and cancer spread to his entire body within one year. Nayak died on 3 October 2021 from a rare form of cancer. He had wanted to die with makeup on. Nayak's funeral was conducted the next day, on 4 October 2021. His last wish was fulfilled by Vikas who had a professional makeup artist do his father's makeup as he began his final journey towards his heavenly abode. In his latest interview with a news daily, Vikas opened up on how the family supported him and stayed with him throughout the difficult phase. Gujarati film ''Tu Rajee Re'' (2022) starring Nayak was released posthumously.

Filmography

Television

*'' Shreeman Shreemati (1994 TV series) - Kishan *''

Aahat Aahat may refer to: * ''Aahat'' (Pakistani film), 1982 Pakistani film * ''Aahat'' (Pakistani TV series), 1991 Pakistani TV series * ''Aahat'' (Indian TV series), 1995 Indian TV series *'' Aahat – Ek Ajib Kahani'', 2010 Indian film See also

...

'' (1996) Episodic role *''

Khichdi ''Khichdi'' or ''khichri'' (, , , , Odia: ଖେଚୁଡି) is a dish in South Asian cuisine made of rice and lentils (''dal'') with numerous variations. Variations include ''bajra'' and mung ''dal'' ''khichri''. In Indian culture, in ...

'' (Hindi) as Salesman *''ManiMatku'' (Gujarati) as Matkalal (Lead Hero) *''

Philips Top 10 ''Philips Top 10'' is a Record chart show that aired on Zee TV. It was named so since it was sponsored by Philips, Philips India. The name later changed to Colgate Top 10. This Indian TV countdown show started in 1994 and used chart ratings as ...

'' as Makhkhan *'' Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka'' as Mohan *'' Dill Mill Gaye'' as patient (2007) *'' Sarathi'' as Ghanu Kaka *''

Sarabhai vs Sarabhai ''Sarabhai vs Sarabhai'' is an Indian Hindi-language television sitcom that aired on STAR One from 1 November 2004 to 16 April 2006 and on Disney+ Hotstar from 15 May to 17 July 2017 for two seasons in 80 episodes altogether. The show was direc ...

'' (2004) as Vitthal Kaka *''

'' (2008–2021) as Natwarlal Prabhashankar Undhaiwala a.k.a. Nattu Kaka (Final Appearance) *'' Chhuta Chheda'' (2012) (Gujarati)

Films

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Nayak, Ghanshyam 1945 births 2021 deaths 20th-century Indian male actors 21st-century Indian male actors Deaths from cancer in India Indian male television actors Male actors from Mumbai