Who was Zia Mohyeddin?
Hi friends, today I want to tell you about a legend. When he spoke to people, the crowd just wanted to listen. He was a brilliant actor, producer, and writer, and he was a pearl of wisdom and knowledge. He was Pakistani, but when he spoke English, no one could tell he was Pakistani. And when he spoke Urdu, no one could imagine he was also fluent in English. Today, I will share with you his life, his struggles, and his achievements. Let’s dive into this article.
Early Life
Zia Mohyeddin was born in 1931 in Faisalabad, British India. His father, Khadim Mohyeddin, was a mathematician, musicologist, and playwright. It can be said that Khadim Mohyeddin’s multifaceted career served as an inspiration for Zia Mohyeddin to become an actor.
Journey Of Acting
He attended London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art from 1953 to 1956 to learn acting. Zia Mohyeddin got his first significant opportunity in the Western drama “A Passage to India,” where he played Dr. Aziz. This role was his debut in a Western film, and it showcased his remarkable talent and acting skills. When I saw this film, I was deeply impressed by Zia Mohyeddin’s portrayal of Dr. Aziz. If you are Pakistani, it’s astonishing to see someone from Pakistan speak English so fluently. Let me show you how excellently he spoke English.
In this video, you can see Zia Mohyeddin reciting Shakespeare, showcasing his exceptional eloquence. Zia Mohyeddin acted in many Western films, one of the classics being “Lawrence of Arabia,” where he played the role of Tafas. He also hosted a famous TV show in Pakistan called “The Zia Mohyeddin Show” in 1969. Before discussing this show, I want to mention that Zia Mohyeddin was a very articulate person with a strong command of communication. He knew exactly which word to use in any given context.
Now, coming back to his show, it was unique because Zia Mohyeddin always invited guests who were intelligent, articulate, and had made significant contributions to society. Sadly, the show was shut down in 1973 because Zia Mohyeddin moved to the United Kingdom. Why did he leave? The answer lies in the political climate of Pakistan at that time; the country was under military rule, which Zia Mohyeddin did not support.
Family
Zia Mohyeddin had three wives and four children. The first lady he married was named Sarwar Zaman. From his first wife, he had two sons. The second lady who won his heart was Nahid Siddiqui, a very professional Kathak dancer. From his second wife, he has one son named Hassan “Moyo” Mohyeddin, who joined the music industry and is currently working with Coke Studio. His third and last wife was Azra Mohyeddin. This marriage is interesting because Azra was born in 1970, highlighting the significant age gap between them. After marrying her in 1994, they had one more child, Alia Mohyeddin. Despite having three wives, he never compromised on his professional work. When he worked, he gave his full attention to his tasks, and no one could disturb him during that time. This level of dedication made him a perfectionist, and like every perfectionist, he expected others to strive for perfection as well.
Health and Death
Zia Mohyeddin was 91 years old when he passed away, which speaks to his excellent health and longevity. The secret behind his good health was his discipline. Remarkably, at the age of 91, he had no major diseases. His wife mentioned that her husband was very disciplined and punctual.
Conclusion
In this article, I want to tell you about the life of a legend, Zia Mohyeddin. You can learn from his life and character that Zia Mohyeddin valued the use of good words in daily communication, whether you are speaking Urdu or English.
