When Dharmendra worked as tubewell operator — Malwa narrates tales and prays for its son of soil

The Malwa region, spread across Ludhiana and Malerkotla districts, probably has the largest number of fans of actor Dharmendra. Today, as the veteran star is admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, his admirers here are praying fervently for his recovery.

Born and brought up in Dangon village of Pakhowal block, not many people know that Dharmendra studied at Government High School, Lalton, and once worked as a tubewell operator at Banbhaura village in Malerkotla district.

Buta Singh Deol of Dangon village fondly recalls his “taya ji” Dharmendra Deol’s affection for his father, Manjit Singh, because of which he had entrusted him with the management of his agricultural land for tilling.

“Though taya ji spent much of his childhood at his mother’s parental village, Nasrali Haibowal, he would often visit Dangon and spend quality time with men, women and children of the village,” Buta Singh said, showing the actor’s old photographs with villagers, both young and old.

Villagers recall that Dharmendra would often drive tractors in his fields whenever he visited Dangon — even during the peak of his film career.

Gurmel Singh, an octogenarian from Banbhaura village, remembered Dharmendra’s days as a tubewell operator. “He and his colleague Dilbag Rai Issi would help farmers water their crops efficiently by scheduling tubewell operations at night. Though he had to stay at the tubewell during duty hours, Dharmendra spent most of his time among us villagers, guiding and helping resolve our problems,” he said.

Dr Davindra Ashok of Pakhowal, who had started writing a book on Dharmendra, described him as a man of great warmth and versatility. “He never disappointed anyone who came in contact with him,” he said.

Following family tradition of the time, Dharmendra was born at his maternal grandparents’ (‘nanihal’) village, Haibowal Nasrali, in Ludhiana district. He spent his childhood at several places due to his father’s frequent transfers in the Education Department.

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“He was born to Kewal Krishan and Satwant Kaur as Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol at Nasrali on December 8, 1935,” Dr Ashok added, noting that the future superstar studied for some years at Government High School, Lalton, where his father was posted as Headmaster.