Tariq Aziz: Icon of modern Urdu literature

By Aleena Arshad
(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

Quite a few luminaries have arrived on the horizon of Urdu literature, dominated the scene in their lifetime and left a lasting legacy. Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, John Eliya, Allama Iqbal and Sir Syed Ahmed Khan are among those larger than life personalities about whom we talk about or discuss their works almost every other day. 

But after the creation of Pakistan the man who has been most talked about and whose voice and charisma have impacted generations the most is none than the legendary Tariq Aziz. He mesmerized the masses with his sheer brilliance and elegance. He was an asset to Urdu literature. A true genius with a multi-faceted personality. 

His selection of words and his ability to win hearts with his inimitable style earned him incredible fame in a professional career spanning well over half a century. He was not only proficient in promoting the sales of company products with his trademark commercials but he also took pride in lending his voice to various poets in order to boost them. 

Tariq Aziz is one man who was read, listened, watched, viewed and followed with passion and enthusiasm by people of all age groups and genders. His command over the language of Urdu and his uniquely distinct voice made him extremely popular in every nook and corner of the country. There was hardly any aspect of Urdu literature with which he didn’t remain associated. He’s credited to have immortalized the opening and closing of television shows. 

Tariq Aziz was born in Jalandhar but his family crossed the border and migrated to Sahiwal soon after the creation of Pakistan. After acquiring early education in Sahiwal, he commenced his professional career from Radio Pakistan. 

When Pakistan Television came into being in November 1964, he became its first male newscaster. He had the honour of making the first-ever announcement on PTV. He became a household with the television show ‘Neelam Ghar’ which shattered all records of popularity and longevity. His name was thought to be synonymous with Neelam Ghar and PTV. The powerful ending of every Neelam Ghar show with the slogan of Pakistan Zindabad warmed the hearts of millions of people. 

Bazm-e-Tariq Aziz show also turned out to be a blockbuster. It was the most sought after television programme of its time and people adjusted their daily routine accordingly to be able to watch it. Many television shows have come on air since then but the credit for pioneering it went to none other than Tariq Aziz. 

If we talk about acting, he also showcased his talents in this field, albeit with moderate success. He worked with the likes of Waheed Murad, Zeba and Shamim Ara, the top stars of that era, and many of his movies became hits. 

Turning to politics, he had contested the general elections on the ticket of PML-N in 1997 and won his seat for National Assembly. But he didn’t stay for long in the political arena and devoted his energies into scholastic activities, authoring books like Hamzad Da Dukh and Iqbal Ki Pehchan. 

Although age was beginning to take its toll in the later stages of career, he had lost none of his passion or zeal in doing the television shows as he enlightened the audience by reciting top-class poetry in his own unique style. 

I have fond memories of my meeting with the legend in 2017. It was a memorable two-hour session in which we talked at length about his illustrious career. It was the time when many leading television channels were eager to have Tariq Aziz but he had continued to regret politely by declaring that he had nothing more to declare with people as they already knew about him. 

When I was leaving him, after completing the interview, he passed on an advice to me which still hangs fresh in my memory. He advised me to continue serving the cause of Urdu literature with missionary zeal when he learnt about my interests. 

Tariq Aziz and his family had deep and immense love with Pakistan. In 2009 he had tweeted that, as he was not blessed with any child, all his assets would be at the disposal of the government upon his death. He lived for Pakistan and he died for Pakistan. He has left the mortal world on June 17, 2020 but he will always remain alive because of his accomplishments and deeds.