Renowned puppeteer, sculptor Faizaan Peerzada dies
Faizaan Peerzada.–Photo courtesy Aurora magazine
KARACHI: Renowned Pakistani puppeteer and Chief Operating Officer of the Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop Faizaan Peerzada passed away in Lahore late Thursday due to cardiac arrest.
Peerzada, 52, was the son of Pakistan’s leading playwright Rafi Peer and brother of renowned film and television artistes Salman and Usman Peerzada.
Born in Lahore, he began his career at Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop in 1977.
After schooling from St Anthony’s in Lahore, he attended the National College of Arts, but did not complete the design course he had enrolled in. He was an accomplished sculptor as well as puppet-maker, having carved and created 3,000 or so puppets of different kinds. He also remained a passionate painter.
Peerzada was a puppeteer with distinction and was awarded the President’s medal for the Pride of Performance. In 2011, Peerzada was awarded the commission for the project in collaboration with Sesame Workshop, the creator of the American show.
However, the US terminated funding for the project amidst reported allegations of corruption.
His funeral (Namaz-e-Janaza) will be held on Friday, December 21 at 2:00p.m at Raiwind, according to information posted on the group’s Facebook page.
Very talented and young . RIP
Inna Lilla Hai Wa Inna Ilahi Rajieoon. These type of people are the balance in the social behaviors and remind us of being a normal person and a balanced Muslim.May Allah swt grant him the best place in Jannat and provide comfort to his family.
RIP Sir!!!
Rest in peace , Faizan . We will cherish your memories as a person who kept the flame of arts burning bright even when retrogressive forces darkened our cultural horizons .
Inna lillahe wa inna ilaihi rajioon
It’s back to the creator Faizaan. I have lost my mentor today.
RIP
Inna Lilla Hai Wa Inna Ilahi Rajioon. What a good and decent man he was not to mention highly gifted and passionate about his craft. I have known the family for decades now and this comes as a terrible blow. Too difficult to express in words the gloom cast as a consequence. May Allah rest his soul in peace. Ameen. Mubasher Lucman
Massive loss for Pakistan indeed. May God rest his soul in peace. Mubasher Sahib it will be good for our Pakistani radio program if you can share some memories with us. Please let me know if you can, our program email is dildarpakistan@hotmail.com
Regards
Shahzadi
Inna lillahe wa inna ilaihi rajioon.
Inna lillahe wa inna ilaihi rajioon. May Allah forgive his sins and shower his blessings on his soul and give courage to his family to endure the loss. Amen
RIP
A great man, very hard worker and loyal to his work. I have learnt a lot from Mr. Faizaan during my 7 year work tenure with him. May Allah Subhan hu watala shower his blessings on his soul.
Loveeeeeeeee u Faizaan sb