Zia Mohyeddin’s first stage appearance (1940)

A photograph of the cast and crew of two one-act plays – Kal and Dill Ke Dharkan – performed by the Central Training College Dramatics Club, with their principal GC Chatterjee. The plays were written and directed by Zia Mohyeddin’s father Professor Khadim Mohyeddin, who would direct and present a play – usually written by him – every year at whichever college he was teaching.

This was Zia Mohyeddin’s first stage appearance. He still adequately remembers the event and provided me with the details stated here.

Seated: extreme left Lala Ghanshyam Das, stage manager; second from left Azam, cast; centre GC Chatterjee, principal; 2nd from right Professor Khadim Mohyeddin.

Standing: extreme left Dr Sheikh Muizzuddin, third from left Agha Babar, who became a well-known short story writer. Others include members of the cast in costume, and crew.

Seated on the ground on the left is Zia Mohyeddin at age 7.

Photo: Asad Javaid

Text: Naveed Riaz