Pakistan mourns the demise of Zia Mohyeddin Sahab, an icon of art, literature & culture

Pakistan mourns the demise of Zia Mohyeddin Sahab, an icon of art, literature, and culture.

Internationally renowned artist and President Emeritus of the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa), Zia Mohyeddin passed away in Karachi on Feb 13 aged 91.

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

Today Urdu lost one of its greatest voices. And from now on reciting Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Mirza Ghalib’s kalams, Insha and Yousafi’s humour won’t be the same.

Zia adapted the discipline of the Western genre of reading to Urdu prose and poetry.

Through Zia’s distinctive reading style, the youth were introduced to poets and authors like Ghalib, Faiz, Noon Meem Rashid, Ibn e Insha, Patras Bokhari, and English writers like Shakespeare.

In 2005, then-President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf invited Zia Mohyeddin to form the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) in Karachi, of which he had been President since its inception and was active in directing theatre plays.

He was awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) and the Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence).

He also authored three books; A Carrot is a Carrot, Theatrics, and The God of My Idolatry Memories and Reflections.

In the past three decades, Zia Mohyeddin personified the best that Pakistan has produced in theatre, whether in the fields of acting, directing, or recitation.

Read more: Sania Saeed pens an emotional tribute for Zia Mohyeddin

As the world of arts and literature bids farewell to a maestro – Zia Mohyeddin, tributes and condolences continue to pour on the Twitter timeline.