Wilting puppets

The art form of puppets is unique and Faizaan made it possible for people in country to gain an appreciation for it.

With the sudden death of Faizaan Peerzada, who died in Lahore as a result of a massive cardiac attack, aged only 54, puppets across the country have lost a masterful puppeteer. As the force behind the Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop — run by his brothers and other family members — Faizaan had played a crucial part in reviving the dying art of puppetry in a country where it had been neglected for decades. The performances by folk puppeteers at the Museum of Puppetry in Lahore and till 2009, at the World Performing Arts Festival, which for years had given artistes from around the world space to perform in a city deprived of culture, are proof of his efforts. It was a tragedy that a series of bomb blasts that year brought an end to that colourful event.

Faizaan Peerzada, with his twin Saidaan, the youngest of the Peerzada brothers, deserves immense credit for fighting the obscurantism that eroded culture through the Ziaul Haq years and beyond. His dedication to the arts — and especially to his beloved puppets — was unmatched. It is a contribution that should never be forgotten. The art form of puppets is unique and Faizaan made it possible for people in the country to gain an appreciation for it.

He had also encountered many hardships during his short life. Following the early death of their father, theatre legend Rafi Peerzada, the young brothers had struggled to survive. Lately, Faizaan was also said to have been greatly disturbed over the scandal alleging massive misuse of USAID money given for the puppet-based Sim Sim Hamara project. Faizaan Peerzada died far too young, leaving friends and fans in shock. His contribution to culture deserves to be remembered and the best way of doing so is by ensuring that his efforts to keep puppetry alive are continued by others who can pull up the strings that currently hang slack, with much of the power that made them dance, talk and sing so suddenly taken away.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2012.