SHILLONG, Jan 25: Noted filmmaker, poet and social activist, Tarun Bhartiya, passed away in Shillong on Saturday morning following a heart attack. He was 54. Bhartiya was rushed to Woodland Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He is survived by his wife, Angela Rangad, and their three children—a daughter and two sons.
According to family sources, his cremation will take place in Shillong on Monday, with relatives travelling from Patna to attend the ceremony.
A towering figure in creativity and activism, Bhartiya made significant contributions to filmmaking, photography, poetry and human rights advocacy. His work earned him widespread recognition and numerous awards.
An accomplished poet, Bhartiya wrote extensively in Hindi, and his thought-provoking documentaries tackled pressing environmental and human rights issues. His black-and-white photography, often capturing the essence of Meghalaya, also gained significant acclaim.
In 2009, he received a National Film Award for editing the non-fiction film In Camera: Diaries of a Documentary Cameraman. However, in 2015, he made headlines by returning the Rajat Kamal award to then-President Pranab Mukherjee in protest against the growing climate of hatred and intolerance in the country.
Recently, Bhartiya played a key role in founding Shillong Humanists, a collective dedicated to promoting critical thinking and intellectual dialogue in the community. His untimely demise has left a deep void in Shillong’s creative and activist circles.
Condolences pour in
Describing the sudden demise of Tarun Bhartiya as devastating, noted filmmaker Simi Khongtiang said his legacy will continue to inspire and motivate future generations of journalists and filmmakers. Stating that his commitment to storytelling, his passion for truth, and his dedication to his craft will be remembered for years to come, Khongtiang recalled a recent interaction with Bhartiya. She said she was struck by his infectious joy and humor. “He had this incredible ability to light up the room and make everyone laugh,” she added.
On his contributions to filmmaking and journalism, Khongtiang stated that Bhartiya’s impact on the fields of mass media and filmmaking was immeasurable. “I had always wanted to learn more about his artistic journey, hear about his experiences, and gain insights from his expertise. Sadly, his life was cut short, leaving me and many others numb with grief,” she said.
Khongtiang further noted that Bhartiya will always be remembered, and his memory will inspire others to strive for excellence in their work.
Nathaniel Jyrwa, Project Director of the Northeast India AV Archive, highlighted Bhartiya’s pivotal role in the organisation. “Tarun Bhartiya was a founding member of The Northeast India AV Archive. His depth of knowledge about Northeast India was exemplary, and his personal collection of films from the region became the foundation of our archive,” Jyrwa, also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mass Media at St. Anthony’s College, shared.
He added, “He was someone we could always turn to for guidance. We will miss him deeply; he was a person of enormous talent.”
Artist and filmmaker Raphael Warjri expressed his condolences, saying the film fraternity and society have lost a remarkable artist and passionate social activist. “His artistic, historical, and cultural contributions were immense. May his soul rest in peace, and my condolences to Angela Rangad and family,” Warjri said.
Rev. Kyrsoi Pyrtuh, a member of Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR), shared that he is still in shock over Bhartiya’s passing. “I came to know Tarun more than a decade ago, and since then, I’ve felt a strong connection with his ideas and shared values,” Rev. Pyrtuh, who is also a social activist, noted.
Although they occasionally differed in their perspectives, Rev. Pyrtuh said their shared values and dreams for a just and equal society strengthened their bond. “From the beginning, we agreed to disagree but never compromised our core beliefs. Our shared vision will remain, and we shall strive to fulfill it,” he added.
Rev. Pyrtuh also highlighted Bhartiya’s extensive knowledge of tribal Khasi polity and culture, which he used to engage society in debates, particularly in the social media age. He observed that while Bhartiya may have had critics, he always expressed love and respect for everyone, both publicly and privately.
“He never held grudges. He loved engaging in politics of resistance and was deeply admired for his films and photography. Many will remember him as Bah Tarun,” Rev. Pyrtuh said.