LAHORE, June 23: A prominent Lahore-based stage comedian, Shaukat Ali, popularly known as Nashila, died at Services Hospital here on Sunday. He was 65.

Nashila, who had been in bad health for five years, remained under treatment at different hospitals for over a month.

According to his family, Nashila was a chronic patient of diabetes, blood pressure and kidney. He is survived by three sons, two daughters and a widow.

His funeral prayers will be offered in Ghaziabad at 10am on Monday (today).

He had been associated with the commercial theatre at Alhamra Art Center for over 30 years and also performed at private commercialtheatres. He also did some films. He did parodies of singers like Shaukat Ali, Tufail Niazi and Alam Lohar.

He performed in a number of stage plays such as Chalti Ka Naam Gari, Bashira in Trouble and Dukh Sukh.

Lahore Arts Council Deputy Director Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi said the council would provide financial assistance to Nashila’s widow.

He said the deceased had rendered great services to the Alhamra Art Centre, adding that the LAC would also hold a reference in his memory.

Stage actor Khalid Butt said with the death of Nashila the stage had lost a good parody-maker and imitator of known voices.

Senior stage actor Masood Akhtar said that Nashila was one of the leading artistes when it came to one-man show.

Stage actress Nuzhat said that Nashila was a versatile actor and had a peculiar style.