The small village of Nasrali in Ludhiana district, forever etched in history as the birthplace of Bollywood legend Dharmendra, is immersed in preparations to honor its most famous son. As the veteran actor's birthday on December 8 approaches, the village community is organizing a special prayer meeting in his memory, right in front of the very house where he was born.
Village Unites for a Son's Memory
Leading the efforts is 69-year-old Tehal Singh, who informed that four to five men are already cleaning the land in front of the rented house where the Deol family lived. "We need space for people to sit," said Singh. He plans to hold a meeting to finalize the event details, noting that a similar prayer meet and candle lighting was held when the news of Dharmendra's passing reached them. Though Tehal Singh was not born when Dharmendra's father, Kewal Krishan Deol, lived there, he grew up hearing glowing accounts about the family from his late father, Ujagar Singh.
From Obscurity to Pride: A Village Transformed
Village Sarpanch Gurwinder Singh shared an ironic twist of fate. While Nasrali remained relatively unknown during Dharmendra's lifetime, his passing catapulted the village into the national spotlight. "The village will always be proud of its association with Dharmendra. We will miss him on his birthday and always," he stated emotionally. He fondly recalled anecdotes shared by a late elderly resident, Hardev Singh, who passed away in Canada at around 99. Hardev Singh would often tell visitors what a jovial child Dharmendra was.
The sense of loss is deeply personal for many elderly residents. Ninety-year-old Naseeb Kaur, who lives adjacent to the kucha house where the Deols resided, was heartbroken. "I couldn't eat after I heard that he is no more," she revealed. Her in-laws had often told her how nice 'master ji's' family was and shared that the young Dharmendra loved jaggery immensely.
Century-Old Memories of a Newborn Star
Perhaps the most vivid memories come from 100-year-old Khair Din. His family used to make earthen utensils and owned milch cattle. He faintly recalls the time around Dharmendra's birth. "For around 15 days, my mother Bassi would wash clothes of the family after he was born. For around eight to nine days, my mother would give khichdi with desi ghee to his mother. Also, mother would give warm milk with jaggery to them," he recounted, painting a picture of community support and shared joy.
Villagers mentioned that the original rented house is not in good shape today and currently has dry fodder stored inside. Adding to the historical context, a villager recalled that in 1935, there were three Urdu schools in the area—in Payal, Maloud, and Nasrali. Dharmendra's father, Kewal Krishan Deol, taught at the school in Nasrali for approximately two to three years.
As December 8 nears, Nasrali village stands as a testament to how a legendary figure's roots continue to inspire and unite a community, keeping his memory alive through simple, heartfelt gestures and shared history.
