Ramanand Sagar’s 108th birth anniversary: The master storyteller who redefined Indian TV with Ramayan and Shri Krishna

Ramanand Sagar remains one of the most influential figures in Indian media. Few creators have shaped the cultural and emotional landscape of Indian television as profoundly as he did.

On his 108th birth anniversary, it is worth revisiting the journey of the visionary who transformed television from a source of entertainment into a shared cultural experience through timeless epics like Ramayan and Shri Krishna.

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From Modest Beginnings to a Legendary Storyteller

Ramanand Sagar was born Chandramauli Chopra in Asal Guruke, Lahore District (then in British India, now in Pakistan) on December 29, 1917. His early life was marked by hardship and personal loss. After losing his mother at a young age, he was raised by his grandmother, who named him “Ramanand,” a name that would later become etched into India’s television history. 

Drawn to cinema from an early age, Sagar moved to Bombay and began his career at the very bottom, working as a clapper boy in a silent film during his late teens. With perseverance and creative ambition, he gradually rose to become a respected writer, director, and producer, admired for stories that blended emotion, morality, and mass appeal.

Silver Screen Success Before Television

Before television turned him into a household name, Ramanand Sagar enjoyed a successful career in Hindi cinema. In 1950, he established Sagar Art Corporation, which marked the beginning of a prolific phase in filmmaking.

Through the 1950s and 1960s, he wrote and contributed to several popular and critically appreciated films, cementing his reputation as a storyteller who understood both the pulse of the audience and the depth of narrative craft.

Pioneering the Indian Television Landscape

Long before television became a staple in Indian homes, Ramanand Sagar recognised its potential as a unifying medium. During travels abroad in the 1970s, he observed how families gathered around television screens, sharing stories and moments together. This insight convinced him that the small screen could become a powerful platform for narratives rooted in Indian culture and values.

This belief led to the Sagar Group’s pioneering entry into television production, at a time when the medium was still finding its footing in India. Sagar envisioned television not merely as entertainment, but as a bridge between tradition and modernity.

Ramayan: A Cultural Phenomenon

Sagar’s most transformative work, Ramayan, first aired on Doordarshan in 1987. Based on the ancient Indian epic, the series brought the story of Lord Ram to life with sincerity, devotion, and emotional depth. What followed was unprecedented in Indian television history.

Millions tuned in every week, often gathering as families and communities to watch together. Streets emptied during telecast hours, and the show became a weekly ritual across the country. In 2020, when Ramayan was re-telecast during the nationwide lockdown, it once again shattered viewership records, reaffirming its timeless resonance across generations.

More than just a television serial, Ramayan reinforced cultural identity and moral values. Television was no longer just a screen- it became a shared spiritual and emotional experience.

Shri Krishna and the Continuation of Epic Storytelling

Building on the extraordinary success of Ramayan, Ramanand Sagar returned with Shri Krishna in the early 1990s. The series traced the life, teachings, and philosophy of Lord Krishna, presenting complex spiritual ideas in an accessible and emotionally engaging manner.

Like its predecessor, Shri Krishna became deeply embedded in daily life, drawing viewers across age groups and regions. It further strengthened television’s role as a medium capable of preserving and transmitting cultural heritage.

Beyond the Epics

In addition to Ramayan and Shri Krishna, Sagar’s production house created several other memorable serials, including Vikram Aur Betaal, Dada-Dadi Ki Kahaniyaan, Alif Laila, and Jai Ganga Maiya. These shows expanded the narrative scope of Indian television, introducing audiences to folklore, fantasy, and moral storytelling drawn from diverse traditions.

Also Read: 6 Interesting facts about Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan you should know

Legacy and Lasting Influence

Ramanand Sagar’s contribution to Indian television and culture remains unparalleled. His work reconnected generations with classical epics, set enduring standards for television storytelling, and transformed viewing into a collective cultural experience that extended beyond entertainment.

In recognition of his monumental impact on Indian arts and culture, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2000. Ramanand Sagar passed away on 12 December 2005, but the stories he created continue to be watched, remembered, and revered.

Celebrating a True Storyteller

Ramanand Sagar was not merely a filmmaker but a visionary who transformed Indian television into a cultural force. Through epic tales of devotion, courage, and humanity, he wove stories into the fabric of everyday life, giving millions a shared language of myth, morality, and meaning.

On his 108th birth anniversary, the nation remembers a storyteller whose legacy continues to illuminate screens and hearts across generations.