Master thespian and Pakistan's greatest orator, Zia Mohyeddin passes away

Master thespian, broadcaster, author, orator and legend, Zia Mohyeddin passed away earlier today in Karachi. He was admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital in the metropolis. According to his family, Mohyeddin was on life support and passed away at 6:30am. His funeral prayers will be held at Masjid o Yasrab at Zuhr. He was 91.

Born on June 20, 1931, in Lyallpur – modern-day Faisalabad – Mohyeddin spent his early life in Kasur and Lahore. After receiving his training from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London from 1953 to 1956, he made his film debut with Lawrence of Arabia in 1962. The film saw him as Tafas – the Arab guide who is shot by Omar Sharif for drinking water from the wrong well.

He continued to work as an actor in the United Kingdom with films like Behold the Pale Horse (1964) and Immaculate Conception (1992). Upon his return to Pakistan in the late ‘60s, Mohyeddin starred in Mujrim Kon (1970), which marked his local big screen debut. He went on to produce some timeless pieces of programming for PTV, and hosted the hugely popular television talk show, The Zia Mohyeddin Show.

Later, he was appointed Director of the PIA Arts Academy in 1973, a role he held until 1977.

Due to heavy censorship during General Zia-ul-Haq’s dictatorship, Mohyeddin returned to the UK in the late 70s. Refusing to slow down, he produced Central Television's (now ITV Central’s) flagship multicultural programme, Here and Now – a weekly magazine series highlighting the culture and lifestyle of various minority communities. The programme ran from 1986 to 1989.

The thespian and actor also travelled the world as a compere, offering Urdu poetry and prose recitations. He had garnered a reputation for being the most fluent and forward reciter of Urdu literature.

In February 2005, then President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf invited Mohyeddin to form the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) in Karachi. He spearheaded and became President Emeritus of the academy, taking on the great responsibility of training the future theatre performers of Pakistan.

He was also conferred with the Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2003 and Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2012. Mohyeddin was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award on November 29, 2017, in United Arab Emirates.

Chairman NAPA, Syed Jawaid Iqbal, in a statement, shared, "It is with profound sadness that the Board of Directors National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) announces the passing of the President Emeritus of NAPA Zia Mohyeddin, an icon, a trailblazer and thespian par excellence."

He added, "A brilliant teacher who mentored and trained numerous students of theatre, he was a committed professional and set the highest standards of academic excellence and integrity. His loss will be deeply felt by his students, colleagues, admirers and friends across the globe." The statement concluded with, "On behalf of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and the entire NAPA fraternity, I extend my deepest condolences to his wife Azra and his children Minos, Risha, Hassan and Aaliya."

Many have since taken to social media to mourn his demise

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