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22 Jan, 2022

Dr Dennis Isaac, a renowned Urdu PTV playwright, died in a Canada hospital on Thursday night, said sources close to his family in Peshawar.

Literary and cultural organisations expressed sorrow and grief over the 71-year-old’s death and sympathised with his family.

Dr Isaac was born on Jan 11, 1950, in Peshawar city, graduated from the Khyber Medical College Peshawar and served as a radiologist in the Lady Readying Hospital Peshawar for over 25 years before emigrating to Canada along with his family in 2000.

He had earned reputation as a renewed Urdu PTV playwright and poet before immigrating to Canada as he was born with a penchant for literary creativity and had varied tastes, including poetry, fiction and music.

The playwright used to take part in literary activities around Peshawar city.

Though a medical doctor, he was affiliated with literary bodies, including Halqa-i-Arbab Zauq, Peshawar, Khabr-o-Nazar Peshawar and Peshawar Christian Literary Society.

Dr Issac received several awards, including Hazara Arts Council in 1985, PTV Award for Excellence in 1978 and 1979, Best Screenplay Writer National Award in 1979, Pakistan Christian Arts Council in 1995, Kashmiri Literary Award in 1996, Joshua Fazaldin Award in 1996, PTV Golden Jubilee Medal in 1997 and Bazme Fanoos Award Canada in 2010.

The list of his best plays and creative works includes Barish, Duraha, Karobi, Karb, and Salakhian and a few memorable episodes for PTV Islamabad Urdu play ‘Guest House’ followed by his last project for PTV Peshawar centre ‘Thori See Zindagi’, a popular Urdu serial directed by Tariq Saeed.

Also, he wrote screenplay and story line for Urdu feature film, Inteha, produced and directed by noted artist Samina Peerzada.

According to Prof Nasir Ali Syed, Dr Isaac had suffered from multiple health issues and had been under treatment for serious problems, including dementia, for the last few weeks.

He breathed his last late Thursday in a Canada health facility.

His great literary contribution was the Urdu translation of a French classic adventure novel ‘Around the world in eighty days’ by Jules Verne.

Originally published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2022

Comments

Asif A Shah Jan 22, 2022 01:27pm
My condolences! May his soul rest in peace! We must carry on the struggle for his vision of a tolerant and peaceful Pakistan.
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Mrs naureen Jan 22, 2022 01:31pm
Thank you sir for your classic plays. RIP
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Masood Jan 22, 2022 02:03pm
Rest In Peace
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Zak Jan 22, 2022 02:17pm
RIP Dr Isaac. Pakistan salutes you.
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Anonymouseee Jan 22, 2022 02:34pm
May he Rest In Peace. Ameen.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Jan 22, 2022 02:58pm
What a gruesome, grisly, grim, grave, gross and great tragedy? Inna Lilla Hay Waa Inna Illehey Rajayoon.
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MAK Jan 22, 2022 03:13pm
Dr Isaac , a multi talented good human being, RIP; my sympathies with the bereaved family.
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AZAM AKBAR Jan 22, 2022 03:58pm
A symbol of Pakistan is gone.
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Niaz H. Jafri Jan 22, 2022 05:07pm
Takes us to the good old days of PTV dramas when you used to write a lot of plays for the national channel. Rest in peace Dr. Isaac !
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Attiya Jan 23, 2022 03:58am
RIP!
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