NAPA pays tribute to late founder

'Just like everyone present here, I am in absolute awe of his achievements,' the Sindh chief minister said

KARACHI:

The National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) held a memorial for its founder Zia Mohyeddin, who passed away earlier this month, on Sunday evening with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah the chief guest.

"A man as celebrated as Zia Mohyeddin needs no introduction," said Shah in his remarks. "He was an actor, orator, director, author, and broadcaster with a career spanning more than six decades."

He noted that Mohyeddin was proficient in a variety of disciplines but theatre was his lifelong passion. He studied at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London and made his West End debut in 'A Passage to India' in 1960. His screen debut came the next year Lawrence of Arabia. He also delivered memorable performances in 'Behold the Pale Horse' (1964) and 'Bombay Talkie (1970) and later in Jamil Dehlavi's Immaculate Conception.

Shah said that after returning to Pakistan in the sixties, the late legend hosted the eponymous 'The Zia Mohyeddin Show on PTV. "He introduced a new style of hosting."

The chief minister said that Mohyeddin set up the PIA Arts and Dance Academy the following decade, which toured the world and performed at the Madison Square Garden and for Queen Elizabeth II.

"Just like everyone present here, I am in absolute awe of his achievements," the CM said.

Shah pointed out that Mohyeddin had two books to his name.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2023.