Arvind Trivedi, a name synonymous with the iconic portrayal of Ravana in Ramanand Sagar’s epic television series “Ramayana,” left an indelible mark on Indian television. His performance transcended the screen, becoming a cultural phenomenon.

Wiki/Biography

Born on Tuesday, November 8, 1938, in Ujjain, British India, Arvind Trivedi’s passion for acting blossomed early, influenced by his elder brother, also a theatre artist. His family originally hailed from Kukadia Village near Idar, Gujarat. A move to Ujjain coincided with his father’s paralysis attack, leading the family to eventually settle in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

Family & Caste

Arvind Trivedi belonged to a Gujarati family.

Parents & Siblings

His father, a mill worker, passed away from a paralysis attack when Arvind was young. He had three siblings: two older brothers, Bhalchandra (an educationist) and Upendra Trivedi (a renowned actor known as “Abhinay Samrat”), and a sister. His brother Upendra, a prolific Gujarati actor, sadly passed away on January 4, 2015.

Wife & Children

Arvind Trivedi married Nalini on June 4, 1966. The couple had three daughters.

Awards & Honours

His exceptional acting in Gujarati cinema earned him the Best Actor Award from the Government of Gujarat an impressive seven times.

Career

Acting

Trivedi’s extensive career spanned over 250 films (Gujarati and Hindi) and numerous television serials, many with mythological or socially relevant themes. His stage experience in Gujarati theatre provided a strong foundation before his film debut.

• 1971: Hindi film debut in “Paraya Dhan”.
• 1971: Gujarati film debut in “Jesal Toral”.
• 1987: Television debut in Ramanand Sagar’s “Ramayana” as Ravana, a role that cemented his legacy.
• Other notable television roles include Yogi in “Vikram Aur Betal” (1988) and Trishanku in “Brahmrishi Vishwamitra” (1991).
• His final film appearance was in “Desh Re Joya Dada Pardesh Joya” (1998).

Politics

Following the immense popularity of “Ramayana,” Trivedi joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In 1991, he was elected to the Lok Sabha, representing the Sabarkantha constituency in Gujarat. He served as a Member of Parliament until 1996.

Death

After a period of age-related health issues, Arvind Trivedi passed away on October 5, 2021, in Mumbai due to cardiac arrest and multiple organ failure.

Facts/Trivia

Several interesting facts highlight Arvind Trivedi’s life and career.

• Initially auditioned for the role of Kevat (boatman) in “Ramayana” but was ultimately cast as Ravana.
• Despite playing the antagonist, he received immense respect for his portrayal of Ravana.
• After “Ramayana,” he became widely recognized as Ravana, even in his personal life.
• Served as acting chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2002.
• Dedicated himself to social work after retiring from acting.
• Shared a close friendship with Sunil Lahri (Laxman in “Ramayana”).

Key Roles and Appearances