He was family

Om caught the fancy of my late husband Harpal Tiwana while performing a play during college youth fest in 1967 at Khalsa College, Patiala, where he was working as a lab assistant. 

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My husband offered him work with him in his theatre company, Punjab Kala Manch with a monthly salary of Rs 150. He performed numerous plays like Chamkaur Di Garhi, The Father, Ratta Sallu, Kanak Di Bali, Maseya Di Raat, Baherupia. He felt indebted to Harpal ji for shaping the actor in him. He would say that he misses his association. 

I still remember this young, thin boy’s magnetic presence on stage. His eyes would light up and his voice would cast a spell. He spent many years performing plays and travelling. I still remember, one day my husband came to me and said, ‘Om has a bout of jaundice and there is no one to look after him.’ We went and brought him to Punjabi Bhavan, Ludhiana, our performing space and residence during the late 70’s and nurtured him back to health. I felt that this reflected in his personality; as he became a big actor, yet he was rooted with Punjab and was grounded. Memories of time spent together are coming back today, how he used to ride motorbike with my husband for promoting plays, especially selling tickets and how he misunderstood the bowl of hot water with lemon on the side as a dish during our meal at a Punjabi restaurant. We would laugh remembering the incident. He felt that as a coupleHarpal and I added to his life.

It was his encouragement that we made the film Long Da Lishkara as he and our other student Raj Babbar felt that we should make a transition into cinema in the 80’s. His portrayal of Ditu in the film became a household name. After the death of my husband in 2002 he was instrumental in encouraging my son Manpal Tiwana to establish a foundation in the memory of Harpal and was also the founder trustee of the Harpal Tiwana Centre for Performing Arts in Patiala.  

Om for us was a family member and the loss is of a loved one, not of the star the great actor, but so proud of him! The world today has lost an iconic actor. His work will always speak for him. — Neena Tiwana, Chairperson the Harpal Tiwana Foundation