Farooq Qaisar, the creator of puppet character Uncle Sargam, passed away in Islamabad due to cardiac arrest, leaving behind a legacy of producing humor, fun, and satire through novel characters.
Born in Lahore on October 31, 1945, Qaisar studied at the National Colleg of Arts in Lahore and also received higher education in Western institutions including a Master’s in Graphic Arts from Romania in 1976. Later, he postgraduate degree in Mass Communication from the University of Southern California, USA.
But it was Qaisar’s ability to keep a close eye on the Pakistani society, and express opinions through Uncle Sargam and other characters like “Haiga” and “Maasi Musebtay” that distinguished his work and brought him immense popularity
Qaisar’s creative talents exploded on PTV with a program named “Kalian” in the 1970s when the channel was the sole source of entertainment for millions of Pakistanis.
Even during the military dictatorship of Zia ul Haq, Qaiser could muster up ways and use fun and entertainment to comment on some of the societal and national issues,
Uncle Sargam Desi Munh https://t.co/BGG9MuaZbz via @YouTube
— Farooq Qaisar uncle sargam (@unclesargamFQ) July 3, 2018
His voice for Uncle Sargam – a character with a long and round-shaped long nose and fading hair – made the two synonymous for their witty and fun ways of speaking on the hard issues. Qaisar was the Uncle Sargam – a highly intelligent legend and Uncle Sargam was Qaisar, the intellectual and creator of the appealing characters.
His career progressed at multiple levels, seeing him get prominence as a columnist, director, puppeteer, scriptwriter, and voice-over artist. Qaisar wrote several books of humor when he provided educational services in India for two years as part of UNESCO.
Over the years and decades, the puppet character and Qaisar’s satirical commentary on some of the sore issues facing Pakistan made him an influential legend. He passed incisive remarks on the shortcomings of the governments and policies of political leaders from Benazir Bhutto to Nawaz Sharif and he also had questions for Imran Khan, when he decided to plunge into the politics.
Akar Bakar 001 https://t.co/2ghOLZLgZP via @YouTube
— Farooq Qaisar uncle sargam (@unclesargamFQ) July 4, 2018
In an interview, he once said the secret to satirizing and still being loved and respected by his objects of fun and satire lied in finding an appropriate way of expression that says everything but does not sound indecent and offensive.
Besides, Kaliyan, Qaiaer’s genius produced Putli Tamasha and Sargam Time.
He was honored with the Presidential Pride of Performance award in 1993.
