Legendary artist, TV host Zia Mohyeddin passes away

KARACHI: Internationally renowned Writers, actor, director & broadcaster Zia Mohyeddin has  passed away in Karachi at the age of 91. His funeral prayers would be offered today in Karachi’s Defense, Phase IV, in Imambargah Yasrab.

Zia Mohyeddin was born in Lyallpur, (now called Faisalabad), British India (now in Pakistan), in a family originally from Rohtak, East Punjab (now in Haryana), British India. His father, Khadim Mohyeddin, was a mathematician, musicologist, playwright and lyricist associated with various theatre groups.

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Zia spent his early life in Kasur and Lahore. He was trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London from 1953 to 1956. After stage roles in Long Day’s Journey into Night and Julius Caesar, he made his West End debut in A Passage to India from 20 April to 3 December 1960 at the Comedy Theatre, running for 302 performances.

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He made his film debut in Lawrence of Arabia (1962). Playing the role of Tafas (the Arab guide who is shot by Omar Sharif for drinking water from the wrong well). He then made numerous TV and film appearances. As an actor, he worked for nearly 47 years in the United Kingdom.

According to information available in public domain, Zia Mohyeddin famous for his blockbuster Pakistan Television talk show named after him Zia Mohyeddin Show (1969 – 1973). He also known for originating the role of Dr. Aziz in the stage play of A Passage to India. He also appeared in Lawrence of Arabia.

His first wife was Sarwar Zemani with whom he had two sons, Minos Ameer and Risha Ameen.