Zia Mohyeddin, a well-known artist and former President of the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa), passed away in Karachi on Monday at the age of 91.
His family reported that he was in poor health and was receiving medical treatment before his death.
The funeral service for Mohyeddin will take place after midday prayers at Imambargah Yasrab in Defence Phase IV of Karachi.
Zia Mohyeddin was born on June 20, 1931 and was highly regarded in the fields of broadcasting, poetry and prose recitation, acting, and theater direction. He played a key role as the head of Napa in Karachi and was the president of the institution later on.
He trained many students who are now employed in TV production. Throughout his career, he had acted in both Pakistani and British cinemas and televisions and was also the first Pakistani 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.
Mohyeddin was awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz, the second-highest civilian honour in the country, in 2012 for his contribution to the field of art.
He has also authored three books namely A Carrot is a Carrot, Theatrics and The God of My Idolatry Memories and Reflections.
President Dr Arif Alvi said Mohyeddin’s death was a “personal loss” to him.
“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.
Zia Mohyeuddin passed away إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) February 13, 2023
To me it is a personal loss. He was a giant in the arts, an actor, producer, director & above all an excellent reciter of prose & poetry accompanied by music typically prompting with a pause ذرا ٹھیکا لگایئے
“May Allah give strength to the world of arts, Azra his wife, family and children to bear this loss,” Alvi added.
Former prime minister Imran Khan said Mohyeddin was a highly cultured person and an institution in the world of entertainment.
Saddened to learn of the passing of Zia Mohyeddin. I knew him for decades. He was a highly cultured person, extremely well read esp in Urdu literature and an institution in the world of entertainment. He will be missed. My condolences & prayers go to his family.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 13, 2023
Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman said Mohyeddin was a “true renaissance man for his mastery and connoisseurship on a range of cultural trends that made him inimitable”.
“Most of all, his hypnotic voice took many generations from radio to tv. May he rest in peace,” she tweeted.
Very sorry to hear of literary icon Zia Mohiyuddin’s passing. He was a true renaissance man for his mastery & connoisseurship on a range of cultural trends that made him inimitable. Most of all, his hypnotic voice took many generations from radio to tv. May he rest in peace pic.twitter.com/UXtJglUg1N
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) February 13, 2023