Farooq Qaiser alias Uncle Sargam passed away in Islamabad on Friday due to cardiac arrest, his family confirmed.
His grandson, Hasnain Qaiser Iqbal, said he had been suffering from a heart ailment for some time. He added that his condition worsened on Friday after which an ambulance rushed him to a hospital but he could not be revived. He is survived by three children, a son and two daughters, according to Iqbal.
Qaiser was born in Lahore on October 31, 1945, and was educated at the National College of Arts. He also attained a Master’s in Graphic Arts from Romania (1976) and another postgraduate degree in Mass Communication from the University of Southern California, USA, (1999).
He was a columnist, director, puppeteer, scriptwriter and a voice-over artist. He also wrote several humorous books and provided educational services in India for two years as part of Unesco.
Qaiser’s portrayal of Uncle Sargam, a puppet character he created and also lent his voice to, became hugely popular in Pakistan and remained a household name for decades. Uncle Sargam was first introduced in a television show for kids, Kaliyan, when it was broadcast on Pakistan Television (PTV) in 1976.
His duo with another character on the show, Maasi Museebatay, achieved legendary status over the years. Along with Kaliyan, Putli Tamasha and Sargam Time were Qaiser’s most loved TV shows. He was awarded the Presidential Pride of Performance award in 1993 for his craft.
Source : The News
Prime Minister Imran Khan extended his condolences on Qaiser’s demise, adding that he was saddened to learn of his passing.
Saddened to learn of Farooq Qaiser’s death. He was not just a performer but would constantly raise awareness about social injustices and issues. My condolences and prayers go to his family.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 14, 2021
