Sania Saeed, Mira Sethi, fellow thespians pay tribute to 'guru' Zia Mohyeddin

Zia Mohyeddin taught, inspired, and introduced a generation of artists, performers and future creatives to the world

Our Corresondent February 13, 2023
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During his life, Zia Mohyeddin taught, inspired, and introduced a generation of artists, performers and future creatives to the world. There is nothing he held dearer than those under his mentorship. And anyone affiliated with the field of performing arts knew, cherished, and most of all, learnt from him.

He was a spirit guide for some, a father figure for others, an encyclopedia for most, and a range of emotions reflected through poetry, prose and drama for everyone.

A visibly short man with a massive legacy and a mesmerizing aura, Mohyeddin was graceful and poised, composed and commanding, disarming and loved by millions, several of whom couldn’t help but mourn his passing on Monday. From theatre practitioners to television and film actors, directors, performing art mavens and friends, several weighed in on Mohyeddin’s life and legacy on social media and in an exclusive conversation with The Express Tribune.

Sharing a whole video dedicated to Mohyeddin, veteran actor Sania Saeed penned an emotional tribute for the late legend. “The Guru departs… Zia Mohyeddin sahab is a founder of many things in Pakistan. Stage shows, literary readings and NAPA, to mention just a few, have thrived because of his contributions,” she wrote in an Insta post. “Last year, Napa paid tribute to Zia sahab and screened Some Lover to Some Beloved; a feature documentary by his grand-nephew Umar Riaz. That voice, that smile will be missed but that dedication will continue to inspire. May you find yourself in the company of the greats, sir. Thank you.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Sania Saeed (@thesaniasaeed)

Pakistan Arts Council president Ahmad Shah told The Express Tribune, “Legendary personalities like Zia Mohyeddin’s take birth after centuries. The whole governing body of Pakistan Arts Council pays a heartfelt tribute to him for his exemplary services. Mohyeddin sahab was mandatory part of every art and literature activity held at the Karachi Arts Council. All literary figures are sad today and there is no denying that his work and him will stand the test of time.”

Music composer Arshad Mahmud lamented on Twitter, “40 years of my association with Zia Mohyeddin has sadly come to an end. I learnt so much from him. The theatrics, Urdu literature, and achieving perfection. However, his mentoring will never end because each of his recorded performance is a lesson for all theatre practitioners and future thespians.”

Junoon guitarist and poet Salman Ahmad tweeted, “It is with great sadness and sorrow that I announce my grand uncle, the great Zia Mohyeddin’s passing. Please remember him in your prayers. He has left a huge void…”

Playwright and poet Asghar Nadeem Syed shared with the outlet, “Zia Mohyeddin’s passing is a shocking and sad news for Pakistan. Despite getting so much work in the UK, he came back to his country and offered his many talents to the people here. From acting to hosting to directing, he did it all and successfully. The whole country is a witness to his achievements and indebted to his contributions.”

Theatre and television actor Mira Sethi tweeted a photo she took of Mohyeddin in the NAPA auditorium to write, “I took this photo of Zia sahab during rehearsals for King Lear. He was approaching his 90th birthday—and teaching. Learnt so much from him. I have a sneaky suspicion he lived as long as he did because he adored what he did. Rest in peace, Zia sahab.”

Mahira Khan mourned, “Lost a great… Rest in peace, sir. Thank you for the innumerable ways you have been of service to the arts of this country.” Adnan Siddiqui shared, “The world of arts bids farewell to a maestro, Zia Mohyeddin – broadcasting legend, poetic virtuoso, actor, and theatre director. As we celebrate his life and legacy, and mourn his loss, we are reminded of the immense impact he has had on our cultural landscape.”

In the same vein, Vasay Chaudhry tweeted, “A body of work comprising of 67 years. Teacher, actor, writer, director, lyricist, orator and Pakistani TV's first real host with an immaculate command over Urdu and English. Rest in peace, Zia sahab.”

Filmmaker Nabeel Qureshi added, “You will be missed, sir Zia Mohyeddin. I feel privileged that I had the chance to learn from him at NAPA back in 2005-06. He was perfectionist and a very cultured person, legendary theatre actor and director. Above all, he was the most extraordinary storyteller and narrator Pakistan has ever witnessed.”

Sharing a photo with the legend, actor Imran Abbas wrote, “Farewell, Zia sahab.” While Osman Khalid Butt tweeted, “Truly the end of an era.”

RJ Anoushey Ashraf and actor Tooba Siddiqui, among others, mourned the massive loss on Instagram. “After Imran Aslam, this is another massive loss that hits too close to home. Forever in our hearts. Rest in peace, Zia sahab,” shared Ashraf in a Story. “What an absolute loss. The last of the lot. Sir, it was an honour to have known you. May Allah bless you, rest in peace,” lamented Siddiqui.

Actor Yasir Hussain maintained, “Rest in peace, sir. This country is suffering a loss daily. And today it has lost its voice.”

Actor Adnan Malik offered, “Rest in power, sir.” Mirza Gohar Rasheed, too, remembered Mohyeddin as the “Voice of Pakistan”. While actors Junaid Khan, Sami Khan, Adnan Malik and Zhalay Sarhadi offered prayers for the deceased. Iqra Aziz mourned, “Now no one like you will come again.” Actor Usman Mukhtar wrote, “Sad day today.”
Actor and model Rabia Butt cried, “Loss, loss, loss.” She elaborated, “An institutional, theatrical, national loss, bigger than the loss of life. Zia sahab, I was planning to meet you someday in person because meeting a person like you itself is an honour. I wanted to learn from you, from the person who spoke so eloquently. Sigh, all great people are slipping away. It scares me, gives me chills that this world is becoming emptier. I am sad thinking about the coming generation that is left with no mentors to look up to.”

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