Athar Shah Khan

Athar Shah Khan was a prominent Pakistani comedian, poet and writer. He achieved widespread fame through his self-created character Jaidi, which he utilized across various media platforms.

Early life and education

Athar Shah Khan was born on 1 January 1943 in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh. He arrived in Lahore with his family in 1947. While he gained his primary education in Lahore, he completed his secondary schooling in Peshawar. He later moved to Karachi in 1957.

Khan earned a graduate degree from Urdu Science College, which is now known as Federal Urdu University in Karachi. He eventually obtained a Master's degree in Journalism from the University of the Punjab in Lahore. These academic foundations supported his diverse professional journey.

Career

Khan began his professional life as a writer for Radio Pakistan. He wrote approximately 700 plays during his tenure. His radio play, Rang Hi Rang, Jedi Ke Sang, aired for more than 19 years starting in 1973. This long-running program helped establish his presence in the broadcasting industry.

He gained significant popularity through acting. In 1975, he performed his self-created character Jaidi in the PTV series Intezar Farmaye. He used "Jaidi" as his Takhaluus—a pseudonym common among Urdu poets—to perform his funny poetry. He participated in numerous Urdu comedy Mushaira events using this name.

His work extended into the film industry, where he served as a writer and actor. His first film as a writer was Bazi, which was released in 1970. This Golden jubilee film featured Muhammad Ali and Nadeem together for the first time. He also scripted the Punjabi film Manji Kithay Dahwan in 1974.

Khan worked extensively with Pakistan Television. He acted in, wrote, directed and produced several television serials. His notable television works include Lakhon mein teen, Problem House and Burger Family. He also produced Haye jaidi and Hello Hello.

His literary contributions included the book Taank Jhaank, which serves as a collection of humorous poetry. He remained active in various creative sectors until his passing. His legacy remains tied to the comedic traditions of Pakistan.

Personal life

Khan was married and had four sons. He died in Karachi on 10 May 2020 at the age of 76. A heart attack caused his death, though he was also diabetic. His funeral prayer took place at Masjid-i-Aqsa in Gulshan-i-Iqbal. He is buried in the Sakhi Hasan Graveyard in Karachi.

Awards and recognition

The Government of Pakistan honored him with the Pride of Performance Award in 2001. He also received the PTV Gold Medal in 1989.