I Pandit Plaray Lal Handoo born at Chandapora Habakadal Srinagar in the year October 1941. I did my matriculation from S.P Higher Secondary School Srinagar in 1956. I graduated from Amar Singh College Srinagar in the year 1962. I had an inclination for stage acting from childhood and was taking part in children program broadcast from Radio Kashmir.
I remained active member of School/College Cultural Clubs. I was prominent member of various clubs and cultural groups.
I represented J&K University with the cultural group of Amar Singh College in 7th Inter-University Youth Festival at Talkatora Garden New Delhi in October 1962 held for seven days. There were 35 Universities participating in the festival. A play ‘Kiran’ written and directed by me was performed by our University which was appreciated very much by the audience.
The festival was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru. The president of India Dr. S. Radhakrishnan and Dr. Karan Singh (Sadhar-e-Riyasat J&K State) were ampng the dignities. On the closing day all of us were invited on a cup of tea by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India at his residence. It was great moment of pleasure in my life to have a talk with Mr. Nehru for a few minutes as a student.
As a student I was very much against social evils. I wanted to educate people against social evil. Luckily I had the art of imitating others which gave me idea of mono-acting (a complete drama performed by one person, different characters are portrayed by changing voices).
This was 1957 when I started mono-acting and became first monologist in kashmiri language in J&K State. My scripts were based on surrounding happenings in the society. The monologues were full of fun, humour and satire but with message. The people laughed, wept and cried with me as they found their echo in these monologues. I unmasked many peoples by giving their real names in my monologues. I performed public shows, afterwards it was broadcast from Radio Kashmir Srinagar, later on from Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar. The J&K Academy of Art Cultural and Languages in book titled ‘Kashmiri Baasha Aur Sahitya Ek Parichay’ published in 1982 page ‘99’ states that P.L Handoo is founder of mono-acting in J&K State and started this thpe of art in 1958. His monologues served as a key for eradication of social evils. My art was recognized after 24 years and was added in Kashmiri literature. These monologues are being published in form of book.
Presently at the age of 75 I also perform mono-acting on stage and mesmerize public with my art and serve the society. In 1975, as a producer I was made Incharge of Agriculturak program titled ‘Butrat (means mother earth in Kashmiri)’ In 1963, I started my carrier as a teacher in Govt. Girls High School Ranawari Srinagar then joined Islamia College as demonstrator in physics/chemistry. In 1965, I joined Wireless Wing of P&T department after getting training.
In 1972, Doordarshan Kendra started working in Srinagar. In the same year I also joined Doordarshan as a ‘Production Assistant’. I was among the first batch of trainees. It was a new experience for the public and the programmers. However with limited facilities Doordarshan started working.
In 1975, as a producer I was made Incharge of Agriculturak program titled ‘Butrat (means mother earth in Kashmiri)’.
In 70’s the conditions of farmers was not good. Per hectare production was early low as compared to other states. The farmers were reluctant to use chemical fertilizers and other inputs. The farmers were using traditional methods of farming. At the same time the expansion of agriculture department was not enough to fulfill the requirements of the farmers. This was due to communication gap between farmers, expert and the department of agriculture. As a producer I had two priorities i.e to educate farmers regarding farming and to make them literate so that they cannot be exploited in day today life.
I wanted to get all the farmers under one umbrella to overcome this problem. The Media was used for this purpose and we acted as a bridge between farmers and experts.
Doordarshan started live program four times a week of duration 30-45 minutes covering agriculture/horticulture/animal husbandry according to agriculture calendar. In addition to studio based programmes the experts conducted field based demonstrated and department of agriculture held fruit/vegetables shows and agriculture seminars. In 3-4 years media revolutionized agricultural sector. The program became very popular and first in number after news.
Adult Education: The program on adult was started in the same year i.e. 1975 as a segment of Rural program ‘Butrat’. The program covered all the components of adult education
(a) Education
(b) Awareness
(c) Functionality. This program was in collaboration with Directorate of School Education J&K State. There was classroom atmosphere in the studio and with blackboard demonstration and the farmers from adult education centers were booked as learners in the program. We were teaching them ‘Urdu’ being state language. This program on adult education telecast from Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar was first of its kind in the country.
In June 1978, the survey conducted by govt. of India Doordarshan Kendra (audience research unit). Quotes “84.9% of the population was benefited by this program”. Unquote.
A press release from P.I.B J&K State in urdu 30th August 1978 issued by adult education wing of School Education. Quotes. "By the end of June 1978 nearly 2 Lakhs 95 thousands illeterate people became literate which include on 1 lakh76 thousands womens also.
In recognitionof adult education programe a letter in 1983 from Govt. of India, Ministry of Education and Culture Directorate of educationwas written to Director Education (adult education wing) of J&K requesting to send feedback report of the program on adult Education program telecast from Doorashan Srinagar.
This program was running for 10 years and in 1985 Director School Education Recommended my case to J&K Govt. for my State/National Award.
Health Education: Produced specials series of programs on ‘Mother and Child Care’ in 1978 based on spot interviews with mothers, mothers-in-laws and pregnant ladies in their homes covering food habits, nutrition and look after of new borns.
The main stress was given on locally available food stuffs like cereals, fruits, vegetables, etc. This program was telecast for 2-3 years.
A letter was received by Director Doorshan from ‘Unicel’ requesting to send the recordings of the series for preserving them as a guide for other centers.
For this program Director Health, Family Welfare immunization recommended my case to J&K Govt. for my State/National Award.
During terrorism in Kashmir Doordarshan started Rural program. I as “Assistant Station Director’ produced rural program five times a week.