The nation lost another legendary artiste in the death of actor Muhammad Qavi Khan, who was associated with the stage, radio, TV and film industries and ruling the hearts of three generations, died of liver cancer at the age of 80. He had been staying with his two sons in Toronto, Canada for three months and was undergoing treatment at a local hospital.  Muhammad Qavi Khan has been awarded with the President's Award for Pride of Performance and Sitara-e-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan in addition to many honors including Lifetime Achievement from TV, Radio and Film Industry in his artistic career. 

 President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Chief Ministers, prominent personalities from various walks of life and social circles have expressed grief over his death on social media.  Muhammad Qavi Khan was born on November 13, 1942 in Peshawar. After moving to Lahore with his parents, he started acting as a child artist on radio, joined stage and TV in 1964.  Later he joined the film industry and acted in more than 250 films, but from the beginning to the end he remained on the TV screen.  In the 1980s, he left an indelible impression on the hearts of the audience by playing the role of an honest police officer in the popular drama series Andhera Ujala.  Muhammad Qavi Khan is survived by his widow and two sons and two daughters. He used to describe his life as continuous struggle. Until his death, he showed no intention of retiring from acting. 

The relationship between art and artist is deep with the homeland and its culture, which Qavi Khan maintained till the end. Fans are rightly proud of his life. His services for building and promoting a good society cannot be forgotten. May Allah forgive the deceased and raise his ranks. Meanwhile, reports say that the artiste was buried at the in Meadowvale Cemetry in Brampton cemetery after his funeral prayers were offered at the Jamia Masjid in Mississauga. Senior actor Shahid, actor Mahmood Akhtar including Qavi Khan's relatives and a large number of Pakistani community attended the funeral prayer.

Qavi Khan's son Adnan Qavi said that he was with him in Canada for 5 months, he was sick but he never gave up hope, Qavi Khan loved Pakistan very much and used to talk of the homeland even in his illness and last days. * Earlier last month, the nation suffered a huge loss in the death of legendary Zia Moheyuddin, who was truly 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. Zia 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 was the second shock the nation received within a week in February. TV  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.   Another loss which the nation suffered last month was the death of Renowned drama writer and poet Amjad Islam Amjad, who died on Feb 10 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.

And last but not the least, we lost iconic TV host Tariq Aziz during the corona pandemic in 2020. A true legend, Trriq Aziz 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.  All the above deceased legends were unique in every way. Whether acting, hosting, producing, writing or rendition of prose and poetry, they were unmatched in their respective arenas which shows they were a God-gifted men and their void is difficult to fill. They will always serve as a role model for coming generations to take inspiration from them and learn from their deed and example, for years to come. 

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 08 2023

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