Zia Mohyeddin, a legendary televangelist and literary icon was born on June 20, 1931 in Lyallpur, Punjab, British India (now Faisalabad, Pakistan). He was a British-Pakistani film actor, producer, director, and television broadcaster who appeared in both Pakistani cinema and television, as well as in British cinema and television throughout his career. In a career spanning more than six decades in various disciplines, theatre remained Mohyeddin’s lifetime passion.
The internationally renowned artist and President Emeritus of the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA). He mentored some of the country’s biggest acting talents. Initially he gained fame from an eponymously-named Pakistan Television talk show Zia Mohyeddin Show (1969–1973).
He received Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 2003 by government of Pakistan, Hilal-i-Imtiaz (the second-highest civilian honour in the country) in 2012 by the President of Pakistan and Lifetime Achievement Award on 29 November 2017 presented by the Pakistani community living in Dubai & given by the Pakistan Ambassador in UAE.
Three books were written by him; A Carrot is a Carrot: Memories and Reflections in 2008, Theatrics in 2012 and The God of My Idolatry: Memories and Reflections in 2016. Among a few Pakistanis to have performed in theatre and films outside the country, Mohyeddin delivered some of his most memorable performances in the Hollywood epic Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Behold the Pale Horse (1964) and Bombay Talkie (1970). He also starred in British director Jamil Dehlavi’s Immaculate Conception (1994) and the critically acclaimed mini-series, The Jewel in the Crown in 1984.
He had been ill and on life support before passing away in Karachi on 13th February, 2023 at the age of 91. The news of his death is devastating for all his fans, which has left a void that cannot be filled. #ZiaMohyeddin was trending on Twitter with more than 14,000 tweets from all across Pakistan. Celebrities, activists and journalists mourn the loss of Zia Mohyeddin by saying that Pakistan has lost its voice.
With Zia Mohyuddin departing this world, the whole cohort of veterans of Urdu literature characterized by finesse, grace and inspiration has left us. Urdu has lost the giants that upheld its stature. Many of this generation were infatuated by Iqbal due to Zia’s voice immortalizing his Kalam. He was my gateway to Faiz’s poetry through his magical voice.
“Zamaana baray shauq sey sun raha tha, hum he so gaye daastan kehte kehte”, the epitome of eloquence has now left us. The one who lit up our lives with his beautiful voice and soul. He was famous for his wit and one-liners, yet the seriousness he brought, will be his lasting legacy.
Calling him an icon is an understatement. He was an epoch! Straddled like a colossus, world of literature, art, culture, performing arts as playwright, poet, author, actor, narrator, voice-over artist and an exemplary teacher. His work and legacy will be loved, lived and cherished forever.
