KARACHI: The graduates of the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) have decided to form an alumni association.

The announcement was made in a grand alumni gala at Napa, where the graduates shared fond memories of late legendary artist and former Napa president Zia Mohyeddin.

According to a press release issued here on Sunday, the theatre and music graduates recalled their initial days at the academy.

TV and digital journalist Wusatullah Khan narrated how at his age it took him months to be accepted as a student by his classmates and faculty.

He narrated his audition story where Zia Mohyeddin, the then president of Napa, had stopped him from entering the room telling him that auditions were in progress. “I told him I was there for the precise reason,” Mr Khan recalled.

Decide to form alumni association

When it came to reciting something of his choice, Khan said, Zia sahib had asked him to read a column of his.

Actor Paras Masrur recalled how Zia sahib made him learn the value of being punctual. “Once I came early and waited outside,” he said. “Zia sahib came just a minute before 10 and said ‘Why are you early?’”

And then at 10, Masrur recalled, Zia sahib moved inside the room, turning to him and saying, “You are late.” Such was his sense of humour.

Musician Ahsan Bari recalled how strict Amir Zaki was in his class. “Once he asked me to bring a knife as he needed to chop off those fingers that cannot play simple guitar,” Mr Bari said.

Of course, no fingers were chopped but Zaki looked very serious at that time, he said.

The alumni, deliberating in a panel discussion, also made suggestions for the improvement of the Conservatory, including review of curriculum and faculty hiring criteria with expert alumni input, inviting legends for workshops, annual alumni festival, and monthly alumni performances.

Ethnomusicologist and Napa music department coordinator Arsalan Pareyal, theatre teacher Zeeshan Nulwala, TV host Mehwish Siddiqui, pianist and Napa faculty Julian Qaiser, singer Sidra Tahir, and tabla player Waqas Gulab were also part of the panel.

Earlier, Napa COO Sameeta Ahmed welcomed the alumni and said alumni were the core of every institution.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2025