Transitions: Puppeteer Faizan Peerzada pulls his last string

As the mainstay of Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop, Faizan widely promoted the performing arts.

LAHORE:

Master puppeteer and tireless promoter of the arts Faizan Peerzada’s demise on Thursday night sent a shockwave through Pakistan’s entertainment industry and the wider public.

According to doctors, the 54-year-old artist died suddenly due to cardiac arrest.

Born on October 4, 1958, Faizan was the twin brother of Sadaan Peerzada, and son of the celebrated radio and theatre personality, Rafi Peerzada. He completed his schooling from St Anthony’s High School in Lahore and then went on to study at the National College of the Arts (NCA).

Through the years he emerged as the backbone of his family’s Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop and defined himself through his passion for puppetry and the arts. His fans often likened him to the celebrated US producer and artist Jim Henson who profoundly influenced the art of puppetry and popularised the art form.

“He not only worked for promoting a softer image of Pakistan, but also for Pakistani culture as a whole,” said his sister Tasneem Peerzada, who alongside Faizan, worked for Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop.

“There are many folk singers and artists whose talents are confined to shrines; he found a way to promote these artists, by providing them a platform where the public could acknowledge their talent,” Tasneem said.



Faizan’s contribution to puppetry cannot be understated either. He brought the art form to the fore by creating the landmark Museum of Puppetry – a first of its kind in Pakistan – which took 11 years to build.

Faizan started his career as a creative director at Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop in 1977, which was founded by his older brother and actor, Salmaan Peerzada as a tribute to their father’s legacy. It was here that Faizan rooted his prowess for the arts and carved out a space exclusively for the promotion of Pakistani culture.

Faizan’s legacy grew under the ambit of Rafi Peer, where he promoted the performing arts first at a national, and then an international level. He worked closely with local theatre groups like Ajoka and is famous for bringing folk artists like Saeein Zahoor to the limelight.

“The widely known Sufi festival and the World Performing Arts Festival; were really Faizan’s brainchild,” says his brother Imran Peerzada. “[One must] realise that trying to [promote] the performing arts during Zia’s era was an uphill battle,” he added.

Last year had been especially eventful for Faizan, as Rafi Peer was embroiled in a controversy over the USAID-sponsored Sim Sim Humara project, which was clouded by corruption allegations. However, Faizan denied any wrongdoing. Even through this period and after, he came up with several successful festivals.

“Sim Sim Humara caused him a lot of stress, he didn’t really say anything about it, but he was very clear he had not done anything wrong. There was a lot of pressure,” Imran said.  “Maybe it was just his time to go, we all love him.”

Faizan’s funeral was held today at Peerus and was attended by many.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2012.