Thespian, auteur and broadcaster, the legendary Zia Mohyeddin is currently in Dubai for his annual poetry and prose recital programs that are scheduled to take place in the coming days.
Thespian, auteur and broadcaster, the legendary Zia Mohyeddin is currently in Dubai for his annual poetry and prose recital programs that are scheduled to take place in the coming days. One of them is expected to take place at Madinat Theatre this evening. The veteran artist gives some insightful details about his work in a recent interview ahead of his first show in Dubai in six years.
“When I do my one-man show in English, I do it in English; and when I do it in Urdu, then it’s in Urdu entirely,” he shared with Gulf News tabloid. “I rarely add a piece which is in English, so that it can satisfy the sahib log (elite). I’m glad that the people of Dubai have shown this jazba e saqafat (interest in culture). I’ve been here before also, and have done shows in Abu Dhabi and Muscat.”
Mohyeddin’s diction is undoubtedly impeccable and his command over language he chooses to speak at a given time is unquestionable. This paired with his choice of anecdotes and extracts from writers belonging to various ages and cultures, make for a delightful listening experience.
Speaking about the criteria for selection of pieces he recites, the artist added, “Of course, I pick and choose. I make a lot of research, and I never repeat what I’ve done in the past. So, it’s always a new repertoire. I haven’t hired a munshi to do this for me. “The method is to keep reading books, old and new, and see whatever strikes me, and which I deem fit to be read out.”
