Zia Mohyeddin, Pakistan’s ‘greatest orator’, is no more

Widely regarded as Pakistan’s greatest orator, master thespian, broadcaster and author, Zia Mohyeddin passed away yesterday in Karachi. He was 91.According to his family, Mohyeddin was on life support in the intensive care unit of a hospital in the metropolis.Born on June 20, 1931, in Lyallpur – modern-day Faisalabad in Pakistan’s Punjab province – Mohyeddin received his training from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London from 1953 to 1956, making his film debut with Lawrence of Arabia in 1962.Mohyeddin appeared in both Pakistani cinema and television as well as British small and big screens throughout his career.He was also the first Pakistani ever to work in Hollywood.Some of his most memorable performances include the Lawrence of Arabia with director David Lean, followed by Behold the Pale Horse in 1964 with director Fred Zinnemann, and later Immaculate Conception in 1992 with director Jamil Dehlavi.Upon his return to Pakistan in the late ’60s, Mohyeddin starred in Mujrim Kon (1970), which marked his local big screen debut.He went on to produce some timeless pieces of programming for the state-run Pakistan Television, and hosted the hugely popular television talk show, The Zia Mohyeddin Show from 1969-1973.Later, he was appointed Director of the Pakistan International Airlines Arts Academy in 1973, a role he held until 1977.Owing to heavy censorship during military strongman General Zia-ul-Haq’s rule, Mohyeddin returned to the UK in the late 70s. Refusing to slow down, he produced Central Television’s (now ITV Central’s) flagship multicultural programme, Here and Now – a weekly magazine series highlighting the culture and lifestyle of various minority communities. The programme ran from 1986 to 1989.The thespian and actor also travelled the world as a compere, offering Urdu poetry and prose recitations. He had garnered a reputation for being the most fluent and forward reciter of Urdu literature with that signature baritone, which invited throngs everywhere he went.Delving deep into his art, he once told Pakistan’s leading English daily Dawn’s InpaperMagazine: "To me diction is the most important thing. You have to first learn how to pronounce the word ‘qubool’ (with a thick qaaf) the correct way, and then it is all right if the character you’re playing pronounces the same word ‘kubool’. This you can only learn after studying the classics. Once you know your diction you are capable of doing anything. Also bear in mind the aspect of breath control. The actor should say his lines without fading away towards the end. I’m a bit of a classicist. Reading heightened prose helps the actor control the breath in a better way. It’s all part of the acting technique. The actor should hide his technique, not wear it on his sleeve.”In February 2005, Mohyeddin spearheaded and became President Emeritus of the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) in Karachi, taking the onerous responsibility of training future theatre performers.He was also conferred with the prestigious national award Hilal-i-Imtiaz — the second highest civilian award — for his contribution to the arts in 2012. Mohyeddin was also presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, in the United Arab Emirates.Mohyeddin also authored three books namely A Carrot is a Carrot, Theatrics and The God of My Idolatry Memories and Reflections.The thespian’s demise generated an outpouring of grief and the social media was flooded with tributes.Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Mohyeddin’s art was "one of its kind” and his unique style was admired not just in Pakistan but across the world."It is sad that a person with many beautiful qualities has left society. Zia Mohyeddin’s voice will keep resonating in our hearts and minds,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.President Dr Arif Alvi described Mohyeddin’s death as a "personal loss”."He was a giant in the arts, an actor, producer, director and above all an excellent reciter of prose and poetry accompanied by music typically prompting with a pause,” he tweeted.Former prime minister and chairman of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party Imran Khan felt Mohyeddin was an institution."I knew him for decades. He was a highly cultured person, extremely well read especially in Urdu literature and an institution in the world of entertainment. He will be missed,” he tweeted.