Legendary artist Zia Mohyeddin passes away at 92; laid to rest in Karachi


KARACHI/ISLAMABAD, Feb 13 (SABAH): Internationally renowned legendary artist and President Emeritus of the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa), Zia Mohyeddin, passed away in Karachi on Monday. He was 92.

Zia Mohyeddin’s funeral prayer was offered at Imambargah Yasrab in Karachi’s Defence Phase 4. A large number of people attended the funeral prayer of Zia Mohyeddin. Later on he was laid to rest at Karachi’s Defence Phase 8.

According to his family, Zia Mohyeddin was ill and on life support at a hospital in the city. He breathed his last at 6:30 AM on Monday.

Earlier, sources from National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) had said Mohyeddin had been admitted to the intensive-care unit of a hospital.

Mohyeddin, the founder and chief executive of the NAPA, was elevated as its president emeritus last year.

Known for his excellent comparing, broadcasting, poetry and prose recitation and acting and theatre direction, the late British-Pakistani had mentored hundreds of students.

Born in Faisalabad on June 20, 1931, Mohyeddin graduated from Government College, Lahore. He later studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London and on his return to Pakistan, he produced, directed, and acted in numerous plays.

In 1962, he played a memorable role in the movie Lawrence of Arabia with director David Lean, followed by Behold the Pale Horse in 1964 with director Fred Zinnemann, and later in Immaculate Conception in 1992 with director Jamil Dehlavi.

While the late actor was known for his extensive work in British television, his launch as lead in Lollywood’s Mujrim Kaun in 1970 did not end up being successful, despite a good story and soundtrack.

In 1970, he came to Pakistan and presented the now legendary Zia Mohyeddin Show on PTV. Later, he accepted the post of director at the PIA Arts Academy.

In 2005, Mohyeddin set up NAPA in Karachi. In 2012, he was honoured with the Hilal-i-Imtiaz for art.

He is also the author of three books: A Carrot is a Carrot, Theatrics and The God of My Idolatry Memories and Reflections.

Meanwhile people from all walks of life expressed grief as soon as news of Mohyeddin’s passing spread, with people calling it the end of an era.

President Dr. Arif Alvi said Mohyeddin’s death was a “personal loss” to him. “He was a giant in the arts, an actor, producer, director and above all an excellent reciter of prose and poetry accompanied by music typically prompting with a pause,” he tweeted. “May Allah give strength to the world of arts, Azra his wife, family and children to bear this loss,” President Dr. Arif Alvi added.

Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement, said Mohyeddin’s unique style earned fame all over the world, including Pakistan.

“Mohyeddin introduced a new dimension to television hosting in Pakistan,” the premier said, adding that Mohyeddin earned a good name for the country. He praised Mohyeddin’s role in training budding artists in his capacity as NAPA’s president.

Paying tribute to his services, PM Shehbaz said Mohyeddin’s voice will continue to resonate in our minds.

Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb also sent her heartfelt condolences to the late thespian’s family.

In her condolence message, Climate Change Minister Senator Sherry Rehman called Mohyeddin “a true renaissance man” for his mastery and connoisseurship on a range of cultural trends that made him inimitable.

Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Punjab’s caretaker chief minister, along with his family, expressed grief on the sad news of Mohyeddin’s passing. He told a private TV channel that that Zia Mohyeddin was a versatile artist as he sent his heartfelt condolences to the grieving family.

Former prime minister Imran Khan said he was saddened to learn of the passing of Mohyeddin and shared that he knew the legendary icon for decades. “He was a highly cultured person, extremely well read, esp[ecially] in Urdu literature and an institution in the world of entertainment. He will be missed. My condolences & prayers go to his family,” Imran Khan tweeted.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that Zia Mohyeddin was an institution in the world of art, literature and knowledge. “His services will always be remembered,” he added.

Sindh Governor Muhammad Kamran Khan Tessori also extended his condolences, saying that the country had lost a great artist today.

On the other hand, PTI senator Faisal Javed said in a series of tweets that he had the chance to personally work with Mohyeddin in 2003. “He had a great command over the pronunciation of many languages. He was one of the most expensive voice over artists of Pakistan.”

Meanwhile, the Rekhta Foundation — an archive of Urdu poetry and literature — said that the news of Mohyeddin’s death came as a “huge shock leaving a void that cannot be filled”.

“He was a fantastic actor, host, producer, and voice-over artist. May his soul rest in peace,” it tweeted.