PESHAWAR: Noted septuagenarian actor Naeem Jan passed away at 71 at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), Peshawar on Thursday.

He was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard in Hakimabad Derai Kalay, Nowshehra. A large number of local artists, writers and notables of the area attended his funeral prayers.

Naeem Jan left behind four daughters, a son and widow. He had been bedridden for the last five years due to multiple health complications. He had performed in around 400 TV, stage, tele-film and radio plays. He was recipient of various awards. He enjoyed fame for his unique voice quality and style of facial expressions.

His wife told this scribe that his condition suddenly deteriorated on Wednesday at his residence in Nowshehra and was shifted to LRH where he breathed his last in the small hours of Thursday. She said her husband had served art and culture for more than four decades and earned a widespread popularity for his quality performance.

“I appeal to government to do something for our school going children as I have no source of income. My husband had spent all money on his treatment. I live in a two-room rented mud home. I am grateful to culture department for its monthly stipend but it will finish this month,” she said.

Tariq Jamal, a senior TV actor, said that Naeem Jan had great command over script and dialogue delivery. He said that he was basically an experienced radio artist, who was born with talent of acting.

“Naeem Jan had played memorable supporting characters in Rogh Lewanee, Janaan, Samandar, Angaar and a few top Pashto plays. He was our mentor. With little education background, he could perform any tough roles. We lost a great artist. He died a poor soul, hope artists community and government would extend help to his family,” Mr Jamal added.

Masood Ahmad Shah, a retired producer of Pakistan Television, Peshawar Centre, told this scribe that he was the only one from PTV, Peshawar who attended funeral prayers of Naeem Jan.

He said that Naeem Jan was an extraordinary performer and an innocent human being. He said that the late actor had worked with him in most TV plays including super hit dramas Namoos, Bisaat, Zaulaney, Ranoona, Rang Pa Rang, Anaa and an Urdu play Unke Saamne.

“He used to roll down original tears in plays because he would absorb the contents and character of the play. He was a straight forward person and true to his art,” said Mr Shah.

Akbar Hoti, a young Pashto poet, said that Naeem Jan was his colleague at a private FM radio in Mardan.

He said that his presentation would cast a magic spell on the listeners due to his informative commentary on social issues.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2017