The nation has suffered a huge loss in the death of legendary Zia Moheyuddin, who can truly be described as voice of the nation.

He was a school in himself and legends of his caliber are born in centuries. As such the vacuum created by his death is difficult to be filled. He was a household name and the entire nation is in shock over the death of the icon, which excelled in the fields of acting, production, direction and TV broadcasting.

Zia, who was the President of Emeritus of the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) was an artiste of international fame whose contribution to literature will long be remembered and will go into the annals of history. This is the second shock the nation has received within the current week.

Earlier on Feb 10, we were deprived of Renowned drama writer and poet Amjad Islam Amjad, who died of cardiac arrest in Lahore at the age of 78.

Amjad Islam Amjad authored over 70 books, in his life and his services were recognized by the nation by conferring many awards on him including Pride of Performance and Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Awards.     

Amjad Islam Amjan was a prolific writer and his career including writing columns, analysis, criticism, literary notes and essay but his main forte was writing nazms, which has won him a unique place to him among the literary figures. Some of his great dramas are definitely Samanadar, Dehleez, Raat, Waqt and Apnay etc which are a great contribution to Urdu literature. To be very specific, the current month has brought back-to-back losses to the nation as during span of just one week, we lost two iconic literary figures in the death of  Amjad Islam Amjad on Feb 10 and now Zia Mohiyudin. Overall, this is the third big loss to the nation on literary front as few months back, we lost giant journalistic writer Imran Aslam, who was also a national asset per excellent. Imran Aslam, who was an iconic journalists and a truly literary giant as well, dies in December last at the age of 70. Profound and unmatched journalist, prolific writer and a visionary who took Broadcasting work to  new heights was a man of multiple talent.

Earlier, in 2020 we lost iconic TV host Tariq Aziz, who was also the recipient of the prestigious Pride of Performance Award by the government in 1992.

One thing was common among these iconic deceased figures that they contributed immensely to the art and literature and their void is difficult to fill. Zia Mohyeddin, was teacher of teachers and his films “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Immaculate Conception” and the stage version of “A Passage to India,” have won him unique place among his contemporary literary figures.

He was equally excellent in his roles  in both Urdu and English classics which can be gauged from the number of   English drams in which her featured like David Lean’s “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962),  in which he played the role of Arab guide Tafas. Then there are his other roles like that of  Alexander Mackendrick’s “Sammy Going South” (1963), and Fred Zinnemann’s “Behold a Pale Horse”.

The list is long and here one may recall his classic roles in Basil Dearden’s “Khartoum” (1966), Peter Hall’s “Work Is a Four-Letter Word” (1968), Ralph Thomas’ “Deadlier Than the Male” (1966),  and Tony Richardson’s “The Sailor from Gibralta. The unique plays of great Freddie Francis also held a special attraction for him which can be gauged from “They Came from Beyond Space” (1967) and the list goes on and on.

It was his immense contribution to literature that greatly impressed former President of Pakistan Gen. Pervez Musharraf (late), who during the visit to Karachi in 2005 asked Zia to establish the National Academy of Performing Arts in Karachi.

Against in 2012, he was conferred with the second highest civilian honour i.e., Hilal-e-Imtiaz, which is a great recognition of his services to art and literature.

And last but not the least, his recitation of Urdu prose and poetry won him unique recognition in the society. Almost every segment of the society liked his rendition of prose and poetry as he did it with excellence and it was so impressive and no one can be left unimpressed. He mesmerized millions with his beautiful rendition of the Urdu prose and poetry and it was one of the hallmarks of his character which will be missed greatly for decades to come. His big screen debut in Pakistan can be dated back to 60s when the legend starred in Mujrim Kon (1970).

TV also remained his citadel and like Tariq Aziz, he was household name. The Zia Mohyeddin Show which ran for series of years was a huge success and whenever there will be mention of successful TV shows, the names of Zia Mohyeddin and legendary Tariq Aziz (Neelam Ghar) will crop into mind forever. He was unique in every way. Whether acting, hosting, producing, writing or rendition of prose and poetry, he was unmatched which shows his was a God-gifted man and his void is difficult to fill. He will always serve as a role model for coming generations to take inspiration from him and learn from his example, which is unique in every way.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 15 2023

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