Sometimes some people are so great, so multifaceted, that to call them just a “wrestler”, “actor” or “leader” seems like belittling their existence. Dara Singh was one such personality – a man whose life became a legend in the hearts of the Indian masses.
When we think of Dara Singh, we think of a strong, huge man with arms of iron and a mind of gold. But can we limit Dara Singh to just a wrestler or Hanuman of Ramayana? Absolutely not.
In this article, we will know many aspects of Dara Singh’s life – his childhood, personal life, marriage, wrestling career, entry into Bollywood, immortal character of Hanuman, and his way of thinking and living as a common man.
Another name for ‘invincible’ in the world of wrestling
Dara Singh’s wrestling career was no less than the story of a superhero. In the 1940s, he started his professional wrestling career while living in Malaysia. At that time wrestling was associated with folk art in India, but Dara Singh took it to international level.
He won the Commonwealth Wrestling Championship in 1959 and the title of World Wrestling Champion in 1968. He fought more than 500 matches, most of which he won – that too in a strong style.
His famous opponents included names like King Kong, Strangler Lewis, and John Da Silva. The crowd packed the stadiums to watch his bouts, and people across India listened to the commentary on the radio with bated breath. In one iconic moment, Dara Singh lifted King Kong on his shoulders and threw him to the ground, prompting the entire stadium to erupt in chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”.
The real ‘hero’ of the film screen
After leaving the wrestling arena, Dara Singh proved himself on the film screen as well. He started his filmy career in 1952 with the film Sangdil. But he got real recognition in the 1960s and 70s when he became the unbeatable hero of ‘stunt films’.
Some of his major films include:
King Kong (1962)
Faulad (1963)
Hercules (1964)
Raja Rani
Rustom-e-Hind
Johnny Mera Naam
Mard (1985)
His films were very popular among the general public. He became the first actor whom the audience considered a hero among themselves due to his real strength and simple personality.
His characters were always a symbol of justice, truth and bravery. Even if there was anger in his eyes, there was also innocence hidden in it.
Hanuman: A symbol beyond a role
Dara Singh’s portrayal of Lord Hanuman in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic TV series “Ramayana” cemented his legacy and remains an unforgettable role in Indian television history.
He did not play this character, he lived it. The emotion with which he used to say “Jai Shri Ram!”, made the audience feel as if devotee Hanuman himself was standing in front of them.
The glow on his face, the shape of his body and the depth of his eyes made this character so alive that people really started worshipping him. Even today, his pictures are put up in many temples as ‘Hanuman’.
This role of his made him popular in every household of every generation. Children used to adore him and call him “Hanuman Uncle” as soon as they saw him.
Family life: A confluence of simplicity and intimacy
While Dara Singh was a warrior on screen, in his personal life he was a calm, humble and family man. He had two marriages. The first marriage happened at a young age, from which he had a son. Later he married Surjit Kaur, with whom he had five children, of whom actor Vinay Singh (Vindu Dara Singh) became the most famous.
His family values and his home was no less than a temple for him. Even after reaching the heights of success, he continued to teach his children the lessons of religious values, discipline and self-reliance.
The atmosphere of his house was always full of simplicity. Plain clothes, traditional food and respect for every relationship – this was his daily routine.
‘Dara’ as another human being
People often thought that Dara Singh was just strong, but very few people know that he was also a great writer and a thoughtful speaker. He has very humbly mentioned his struggles and successes in his autobiography “Meri Aatmakatha”.
He was also a member of the Rajya Sabha, where he seriously put forward his views on many issues related to sports, culture and ethics.
His life was not just an example of physical strength, but also of intellectual strength and emotional balance.
The ‘wrestler’ had a strong word in Rajya Sabha too
In 2003, Dara Singh was nominated to Rajya Sabha. This was not just an honour, but the presence of a person in the Indian Parliament who gave priority to discipline, honesty and culture in life.
He often spoke very little, but when he spoke, his words had the depth of truth and experience. He presented serious thoughts on the condition of sportspersons, the direction of the young generation and the cultural heritage of India.
Social concerns and simple lifestyle
Dara Singh neither ran after show-off nor got lost in the world of glamour. He went to villages and made the youth aware of sports. He participated in many campaigns against drug addiction and showed through his life that success can be achieved with simplicity too.
His daily routine remained simple till the end – getting up early in the morning, doing yoga and light exercise, eating traditional food and spending time with family.
The last days and his immortal legacy
On 12 July 2012, after a long illness, Dara Singh passed away. But it was only a physical departure. His thoughts, values and inspiration are still alive.
His character of Hanuman in Ramayana is still watched with reverence in every household. The dignity he gave to wrestling is an inspiration for today’s wrestlers.
The meaning of Dara Singh in today’s era
Today, when we talk of superhero movies and special effects, we miss real heroes like Dara Singh. He is a name that generations can learn from – how to live with humility with power and values with fame.When a common man passes away, we remember him. But when a personality like Dara Singh departs from this world, he becomes culture, not memory.
He was not just a champion of the wrestling arena, he was a wrestler of our hearts – in every move of his, there was tradition, in every victory there was dignity of the country. He taught us that real manliness is not just about physical strength, but about humility, morality and staying grounded.
In today’s era of “special effects” and “fancy superheroes”, the importance of a real hero like Dara Singh increases even more. He did not fly without wearing a cape, but when he lifted King Kong on his shoulders and threw him on the ground, an entire generation would say with pride – “This is our hero!”
His playing Hanuman in Ramayana was not an act, it was a spiritual responsibility – which he fulfilled with full devotion.
Dara Singh is neither on stage nor on screen, but if you see a young man sweating in the morning in the wrestling arena, or an old mother folding her hands while watching Ramayana on TV – then understand that Dara is not dead yet… he is still alive – in our faith, in our tradition.And some people, even after dying, never die.
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