PESHAWAR, April 26: Senior TV artist Safia Rani eventually lost her battle against liver cirrhosis here on Friday, her family sources said.

She had been suffering from liver cancer for over six years.

Ms Rani was admitted to the Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) a month ago but two weeks ago, doctors had declared her disease irreversible and advised her to stay home as according to hospital sources, further treatment was not productive as her condition had already reached a point of no return.

She was laid to rest at Hazarkhwani graveyard, where members of her family, her fans and artists were in attendance.

The artist left behind a son, three daughters and a rich legacy of her contributions to drama art.

Professor Nasir Ali Syed, a poet and playwright, said Ms Rani was a versatile artist, who acted in 85 per cent Hindko plays appearing in lead roles, which she played out masterly as she was well versed with the delivery of dialogues, camera moves and facial expression.

He said the artist’s death was definitely a great loss to the art of drama acting.

Ms Rani basically belonged to Peshawar’s Ganj area but later shifted to Karimpura area and lived there until death.

Interestingly, she played the role of a queen in many of her plays as her stature and other physical features matched the beauty and elegance of Mughal queens.

According to Professor Nasir, Ms Rani acted in more than 500 TV, radio and stage plays of Hindko, Urdu and Pashto languages and received numerous awards and commendation certificates, including the coveted presidential award, Pride of Performance, for her outstanding performances.

He said despite illness, Ms Rani was always found to be in a lively and cheerful mood.

“She maintained high standards of acting but last stage of her life, as usually happens with our artists, remained very gloomy because she was totally ignored and due respect was not accorded to her as queen of the yore days rightfully deserved,” he said.

Karol of Hindko and Kala Dupatta of Urdu were the two plays which she ranked among her best works during an interview with Dawn three years ago.

“Acting is not just a playful activity as most people take it. It is an art, which demands complete devotion and involvement from the performer. I was perfectly fit when I was acting in Karol and Dupatta,” she once said.

Dekta Jaanda Ray was another super hit Hindko play of Ms Rani.