Who was Farooq Qaiser? Here Are Some Key Details

Farooq Qaiser is a renowned Pakistani puppeteer, born in 1945 in the Sialkot region of Punjab.

Here are some key details about Farooq Qaiser:

• Qaiser’s introduction to the world of puppetry occurred during his Fine Art studies at the National College of Arts in Lahore. He was invited to work as a show writer and puppet maker for the children’s television series “Akka Bakkar” in 1971.
• In addition to his Fine Arts education, Qaiser pursued a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from the University of Bucharest and a master’s degree in mass communications from the University of Southern California, as noted by Google Doodle.
• In 1976, he began creating his own children’s show, which eventually led to a broadcasting opportunity on Pakistan Television (PTV). This marked the start of “Kaliyan,” a show that found its way into family homes across the nation, as highlighted by Google Doodle.
• Qaiser’s show skillfully blended humor and satire to impart valuable life lessons to its young viewers. Uncle Sargam, the central character, was endearing and relatable, making the show enjoyable for parents as well.
• Farooq Qaiser received recognition for his significant contribution to educating and entertaining the people of Pakistan through television.
• His numerous accolades include the Presidential Pride of Performance award in 1993, the title of “Master Puppeteer” from UNICEF in 1997, and the PTV Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.
• In addition to his work in puppetry, Farooq Qaiser was a cartoonist and columnist for the Urdu newspaper Daily Nai Baat. He also served as an educator at Fatima Jinnah Women’s University in Rawalpindi. Furthermore, he co-founded the Pakistani branch of Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA) and held the position of vice president for a considerable period.

Also Read: Google Doodle Celebrates 78th Birthday of Pakistani Puppeteer Farooq Qaiser