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    Obituary for a Television Giant: Begum Khursheed Shahid

    Written by: Muhammad Suhayb
    Posted on: June 30, 2021 |

    Begum Khursheed Shahid with her son Salman Shahid

    There always is a special quality in the television dramas of the bygone era, reflected in the characters’ intellect, characterization and eloquence. Television serials of the 70’s and 80’s are still remembered because of the performances by the actors, whom the audience related to and rooted for. Begum Khursheed Shahid was one such actor, who immortalized the characters she played in one-off plays or serials on Pakistan Television.

    Born in Delhi in 1926, Begum Khursheed Shahid was a woman of many talents. Besides being an accomplished singer, she was also quite active in stage theatre as a young performer. Those were the days when the Indian independence movement was at its peak. One day, Aruna Asif Ali, leader of the All India Congress, visited the school where Khursheed was studying, looking for fresh talent. Shahid’s friends told Asif about her singing and acting prowess. That interaction led young Shahid to All India Radio, where renowned music director Feroze Nizami helped nurture her skills.

    She learned classical music from stalwarts like Roshanlal Nagrath (grandfather of actor Hrithik Roshan), Bhailal Muhammad Amritsari and in the 60’s, from Malika-e-Mauseeqi Roshan Ara Begum. She was mostly seen accompanying Roshan Ara Begum during concerts, where she would play the Tanpura (a long-necked string instrument). After Partition, Shahid migrated to Lahore and began a successful career in theatre and radio, while television was still years away.

    Roshan Ara Begum Playing the Tanpura

    In the 60’s, her life changed. Her husband, Saleem Shahid, left her and his son, future-actor Salman Shahid, to pursue a career in British Broadcasting Corporation. But she was approached by the Managing Director of Pakistan Television (PTV) at the time, Aslam Azhar, for an acting job. In its infancy, Pakistan Television needed experienced hands, and Begum Khursheed Shahid decided to choose acting over singing. She was well received at PTV, where she became one of the highest paid actors of her times. Her experience of theatre came in handy, as Pakistan Television used to air dramas ‘live’ until 1970.

    Just weeks before the launch of PTV, she was seen playing the role of Agha Talish’s first wife in Khawaja Khursheed Anwar’s film ‘Chingari’ (1964). It was the legendary poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, who persuaded her to play the role of a traditional wife in a film featuring Santosh Kumar and Shamim Ara in the leads. She also acted in Ashfaq Malik’s Punjabi film Bhola Sajjan (1974).

    Begum Khursheed Shahid in Sona Chandi

    Until the late 80s, she was very active on television. Playwrights like Ashfaq Ahmed, Bano Qudsia and Amjad Islam Amjad wrote special characters for her, as she used to bring a distinct assertiveness to her roles. In ‘Fehmida ki kahani, Ustaani Rahat ki zabani’, she played the role of a mother, whose daughter was impressed by the ostentatious display of wealth in society. Her power packed performance had the viewers in tears, which carried a powerful message about loss and life.

    Begum Khursheed Shahid in Fehmida Ki Kahani, Ustani Rahat Ki Zubani

    Those who have worked with her, remember her as a perfectionist. Her voice projection, stresses and pauses, clarity of words and above all her nuanced expressions, made her an automatic choice for otherwise difficult-to-act roles. Known as Khursheed Apa, she was a director and writer’s dream, and her performances were a clear proof of it. Actor-director Usman Peerzada considers himself lucky to have witnessed her career quite closely.

    “She was a part of my childhood as well as my personal adult life. When I used to accompany my father to the Radio Station at Empress Road, I would watch her perform closely. Her experience as a drama artist helped us when Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop was launched in 1974. Her presence was a great asset in our debut play, ‘Culture, Culture; an Exercise’, which was appreciated in Lahore as well as Karachi. Her son Salman Shahid and I were classmates in Government College Lahore, and she used to accompany him. I worked with her in many plays of PTV, ‘Wadi-e-Purkhar’ being the most memorable one, where she played the role of my mother. I also had the honour of directing her in one of my plays, Sofia, the first privately produced serial on PTV, in 1995.”

    Begum Khursheed Shahid in Wadi-e-Purkhar

    Playwright, actor, author and TV compere Mustansar Hussain Tarar also has fond memories of Begum Khursheed Shahid, after a decades-long friendship. “We used to be neighbours in Laxmi Mansion, Lahore. As a teenager, I had seen Begum Khursheed Shahid, but formal meetings with her began when I joined TV. I have acted with her in a couple of plays where she usually played the role of a middle-aged woman. Plots of the plays revolved around her character, and it seemed as though she was at home, interacting with other members of the family, rather than acting. My friend, late Muhammad Nisar Hussain, the TV producer, was fond of Begum Khursheed Shahid and she was a regular in his plays. She truly represented our cultural heritage; a singer, actor and a musician. Begum Khursheed Shahid was the face of Lahore, which is dying out.”

    Begum Khursheed Shahid reduced her television appearances by early 2000s, as she refused to participate in the newly-rampant commercialism of the television industry. She was last seen on TV in Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar’s TV serial ‘Boota’ from Toba Tek Singh, and Sabiha Sumar’s film ‘Khamosh Pani’.

    Though not as well known to the younger generations, Begum Khursheed Shahid’s journey has been quite similar to that of Malika-e-Tarannum Noor Jehan. Both started their careers around the same time in undivided India, opted for the newly-created Pakistan and played a huge role in the development of the entertainment industry. Noor Jehan chose singing over acting in the 60s, earning a big name for herself, while Begum Khursheed opted for acting and achieved accolades that she may not have attained as a singer. She received Presidential Pride of Performance Award in the 90’s at the end of her illustrious career.

    Begum Khursheed Shahid in her Final Years

    Begum Khursheed Shahid died at the age of 95 on Sunday, 27th June 2021 after a cardiac arrest. A woman who has been instrumental in the development of Pakistani television, has faded into obscurity for many, a sad statement on our times. She belonged to a generation who believed in the cultivation of all artistic skills, whether singing, performing or voice work. It is important to not only remember the contributions of artists like Begum Khursheed, but also remember and celebrate what made the Golden Era of Film and Television in Pakistan so memorable: the talent and work ethic of its performers.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021