Written by: Haroon Shuaib
Posted on: May 16, 2023 | 
| 中文
Faiz Ahmed Faiz (sitting), Alys Faiz (standing), Shaoib Hashmi (left) and kids
Well-known and widely respected Pakistani playwright, actor, patron of theatre, and academic, Shoaib Hashmi breathed his last on May 15, 2023 and with his demise an era came to an end. Hailing from the Mozang area of Lahore, his contributions to the media, literary, and cultural milieu of the country is far more than what he accomplished during his 84 years. Though he has left the stage, he continues to live on through countless other leading names who found inspiration from him.
Shoaib Hashmi
He got his Masters of Arts degree in Economics from Government College, Lahore, and also an MSc. in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science. However, his passion was theatre and he enrolled for a course at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London. He had already left his mark on the Dramatic Society of the Government College, where he had discovered his own passion for the theatre. He nurtured other students with interest in acting and theatre, who later established themselves and acquired fame. On his return, he taught economics for many years at Government College and later at Lahore School of Economics. His students from Government College vouch for his being an interesting and an engaging teacher.
Following his natural penchant for acting and script writing, he joined television and devised his own unique genre of programs through such classic series such as Akkar Bakkar, Sach Gupp, Taal Matol. This was a unique format with short sketches performed with minimal props on plain sets but with wit, satire and humour. This was the decade when music, literature and especially television in Pakistan was experiencing one of its most creative periods. Shoaib Hashmi was in the lead amongst others. His productions for television introduced a new breed of talented actors including Salman Shahid, Samina Ahmed, Naveed Shahzad and Irfan Khoosat. Singer Nayyar Noor and musician Arshad Mahmood also started their career from his series. For Akkar Bakkar, he involved Farooq Qaiser, a student of National College of Arts, to create Pakistan’s version of the Big Bird, Bee Batakh, a body suit puppet. This was a group of minds coming together and experimenting on television and creating interesting and socially relevant content, and having fun while honing their talent under the leadership of Shoaib Hashmi. Like a true mentor, he carefully and affectionately groomed and nurtured their capabilities. The same format was used by Shoaib Mansoor for his popular television show Fifty-Fifty of the 1980s.
Shoaib Hashmi giving directions for a play
Shoaib Hashmi’s association with the most well-known and revered poet of Pakistan, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, was by marrying his daughter Salima Faiz, who later came to be known as Salima Hashmi. He learned greatly from Faiz Ahmed Faiz and translated a selection of poems by Faiz Sahib called, A Song for This Day: 52 Poems, with an illustration for each poem by Salima Hashmi.
Shoaib Hashmi and Salima Hashmi during their youth
A great lover of cinema, music and poetry, Shoaib Hashmi wrote many theater plays and translated many more, and was a columnist on social and cultural issues for some national dailies. His natural gentleness, unassuming demeanor and natural graciousness touched everyone he met. After a full and prolific life, Shoaib Hashmi was bedridden during the last decade of his life because of a debilitating stroke.
Shoaib Hashmi with Salima Hashmi
Upon his demise, reflecting on the influence Shoaib Hashmi had on people around him, his longtime friend and comrade Najam Sethi tweeted: “Very grieved to learn of Shoaib Hashmi’s passing. He was Puppy to us all. I couldn’t bear to see him laid up — he was always so full of life. He played a very important role in my life. His liberal values rubbed off me at a time when my consciousness was raw in GC (Government College). The notion of an older teacher being a friend was new to me. It helped me grow up fast. The tikka kebab evenings in his little room at Mozang…The camaraderie during rehearsals of “The Swan” at GCDC (Government College Drama Club) and then the Paris trip when his car’s La Biele broke down and jazz in basements and art of Mondrian and Picasso cemented so much learning, love and affection. The leftover qeema matar in his flat at Primrose Hill tasted so good…how can I ever forget the great times spent together! May he rest in peace! Ameen.”
Shoaib Hashmi received Tamgha-e-Imtiaz and the coveted President’s Award for Pride of Performance for his invaluable services to the Pakistan Television. It is fair to say that everyone in Pakistan’s literary, cultural, and media space will continue to be inspired by the influence of Shoaib Hashmi, directly or indirectly, for decades to come. Shoaib Hashmi’s demise is an end of an era but his legacy will carry on through his mentees who will continue to enrich Pakistan’s cultural and social life.
Shoaib Hashmi and Zaheer Bhatti
In the words of Faiz Ahmed Faiz:
Aao kay aaj khatam hoi daastan-e-ishq
Ab khatm-e-ashiqi kay fasanay sunain hum
(Gather for the story of passion has come to an end – gather, so we can continue to tell the stories of the end of passion).
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