LAHORE: On Sunday, a memorial gathering was conducted at Adabi Baithal( Alhamra Art Centre, in memory of late artists Afzaal Ahmad, Tariq Teddy, Ismail Tara, and Aslam Sheikh, as well as journalists Navaid Rasheed and Sadaf Naeem.

The Asian Cultural Association of Pakistan organised the reference in partnership with the Lahore Arts Council.

Syed Suhail Bukhari, the spirit behind the Asian Cultural Association of Pakistan, said the organisation has been organising award ceremonies and references for the past 40 years. He stated that the Asian Cultural Associationwould continue to conduct functions for artists and journalists in order to support and appreciate their efforts.

Writer Nasir Bashir said artists were like a family who, through television sets, developed a family-like feeling for each other. He held Afzaal Ahamdinhighregard,referring to him as an acting institution.

`Afzaal Sahib gave Lahorites a modern theatre, Tamseel Theater,` he said, adding that Ismail Tara was also a legend, and the youth of the 70s and 80s grew up watching Tara`s landmark performances in Fifty Fifty, the comic show by PTV. He said Tariq Teddy, Aslam Sheikh, Sadaf Naeem and Navaid Rasheed all left marks in their respective fields.

Renowned artiste Rashid Mehmood paid huge tributes to Afzaal, Ismail Tara, Tariq Teddy and Aslam Sheikh and the two showbiz journalists. He said Afzaal Ahmad was a great artist who inspired many to pursue acting.

Tariq Teddy`s son, Junaid, also spolce.

Writer and director Pervaiz Kaleem recalled his memories with Afzaal Ahmad and other artists. Former minister for culture and information Fayyazul Hassan Chohan also attended the reference.

Staff Reporter