“In a very modest way, I like to think of myself as a Renaissance person,” states Navid Shahzad, and indeed, she does come across as a multifariously talented individual, straddling comfortably in and across a variety of creative tasks and accomplishments. In the many years gone by, she has won hearts and minds in various fields being a teacher, actor, compere, poetry reciter, dramatist, writer, editor, education consultant and administrator, and still continues to be an active person across these fields.
Notwithstanding her professional achievements, it is her personal charm and aura of warmth, grace and wholesomeness that one finds extraordinary. The roots of these qualities of head and heart were quite disarmingly revealed in her candid discourse about her family and life experiences, which were definitely conducive to a creative and positive outlook on life.
Shahzad recalls with wonder and fondness, what she calls, ‘a magical childhood’, thanks to her exceptional parents. Her father, the late Justice S.A.Rehman, who also served as Chief Justice of Pakistan, was a man endowed with a fine intellect and had an avid interest in literature, art and music. He was amongst the founders of the Alhamra Arts Council, and also served as its chairperson. Because of his interest in art and artists, Shahzad and her two brothers had an exposure to a cross section of literary and artistic personalities, be it artists, musicians or other performing artists .While Shahzad innumerated her father’s positive influence, she was equally emphatic in acclaiming her mother as a remarkably gifted lady even though she was not highly educated.
She recalls with awe her mother’s flair for architecture without having any formal training. She was also a talented seamstress, and imparted this skill to her daughter as well. Thanks to her mother, Shahzad was able to sew her own clothes, and later also did a course in tailoring, when she went to study in Seattle, US, as an undergraduate. Little did she know that this training would be of use in her role as principal of The Pakistan School of Design in Lahore, an assignment that came her way much later in life, and which she successfully fulfilled. As for her mother’s flair for architecture, that seems to have been inherited by one of Shahzad’s daughters, Reema, who is now an accomplished architect. Her other daughter, Sara, is a human resource consultant, and son, Farhad Humayun, is a well-known musician. Thus, the ‘humanities’ continue to reign supreme in the family life of the ‘Renaissance’ lady.
While recalling her educational experiences, she revealed that she had matriculated with honours in 1960 from Queen Mary’s College in Lahore, from where she went on to the College of Home Economics. After two years she got a scholarship to study in the US, but eventually completed her graduation from Kinnaird College, Lahore. For her masters in English literature, she joined the Government College Lahore, where she achieved the ‘Roll of Honour’. Throughout her academic life she was an active participant in literary and dramatics activities, and was invariably involved with editing magazines and performing in plays.
It was during her studies at the GC that she ‘fell in love’ with Shahzad Humayun, who was actually a year junior to her academically, because she was ahead of her age as a student. Nonetheless, they were to be married, which opened up a whole new world of experiences for her. Shahzad bemusedly recalls the complete contrast to her own family that she encountered at her husband’s home. While her own household was a literary but nonetheless very organised and disciplined one, her in-laws led a boisterous and almost chaotic life, with the love of food, sports and outdoor activities reigning supreme in their lives.
Moreover, she had been an only daughter and now had to contend with five sister-in-laws who though very loving, were nonetheless a source of bewilderment for her. She recalls what a ‘learning experience’ her marriage was for her and how she learnt to share and become a less exclusive person. She marvels at the zest for life her husband and his family had and appreciates her husband’s spirit for adventure. Imagine, when he proposed driving all the way to England! And they actually managed to accomplish this travelling feat, along with a friend’s assistance, not just once but four times.
As for her career, Shahzad started teaching English at the University of Punjab, soon after her MA, and was one of the youngest lecturers ever. Her entry into the performing arts came a little later. She was a young mother then, and Shoaib Hashmi offered her a role in the TV comedy programme Such Gup, which was to become a hot favourite amongst viewers.
While her in-laws, understandably had their reservations about such a venture, her husband encouraged her to take up the challenge and soon her assignments with the PTV became a regular preoccupation. Since then she has featured in various award winning drama serials, has compared various shows, conducted sitcoms, and has directed an assortment of successful theatre performances. Her most recent engagement is with the Globe Theatre in London, for which she is producing an Urdu version of Shakespeare’s Taming of the shrew, working with a selection of local performers.
Shahzad’s experiences with the education sector have been both fruitful and trying. She taught at the Punjab University for 30 years, and took early retirement because of the ‘unbearable politics’ rampant on campus. Her stint as Principal of The Pakistan School of Fashion Design brought many laurels but also a bit of adversity from disgruntled elements. The Beaconhouse National University was in many ways her brainchild and she served with distinction as Dean of the School of Liberal Arts from 2004 till 2010. Her recent exit from the BNU, however, was also a source of heartache because of policy differences with those exercising influence in the institution. Her current job is of a senior advisor at one of the Lahore Grammar School branches in Lahore, and she has expressed much enthusiasm at being in a school environment, which she feels is the place where the foundation of young minds are laid. Her message for educationists is, “Education must ensure that individuals emerge as responsible citizens, not only for their country, but the world at large.” A wonderful message indeed which can be applied not only to education but the media and performing arts as well.