Talented actor takes final bow
Preet as Hassan in Kismet. PHOTO| ALLAUDIN QURESHI
What you need to know:
- Listeners looked forward to meeting the colorful Qazi ji on air, together with his Begum and brother-in-law.
- Besides this serial, Preet regularly played roles in plays written by doyens like Ishaq Mirza Qari, C.L. Chaman, and Bashir A.D.
- Preet was eqally at home on stage during the fifties and sixties., appearing in most of the highly acclaimed productions at the Kenya National Theatre.
- He won Actor of the Year in 1955 for his role in Noah and The Singing Maid. His theatrical mentor was the multi-talented tutor and theatre personality of the time, Joe Clement.
Voices of Kenya Union, a social and cultural group of Kenya Asian radio and stage artists now living in England, announced the death of a legendary educationist, stage actor and broadcaster early this month. Harbhajan Singh Preet, was living in Cardiff.
Preet lived in Kenya from the early 1940s for over three decades, working as an educationist, but was better known and highly respected and adored for his artistic exploits in radio and theatre. At a time when television was little known and radio plays and serials provided quality entertainment, Preet made his mark with his creative performances. His entertaining, romantic stories and plays broadcast by the local cable and wireless Asian radio were loved by t listeners. Later, his lead characterisation of Qazi ji in an eponymous popular radio serial scripted by writer Zafar Mirza became a household favourite. Listeners looked forward to meeting the colorful Qazi ji on air, together with his Begum and brother-in-law.
Besides this serial, Preet regularly played roles in plays written by doyens like Ishaq Mirza Qari, C.L. Chaman, and Bashir A.D.
Preet was eqally at home on stage during the fifties and sixties., appearing in most of the highly acclaimed productions at the Kenya National Theatre. He won Actor of the Year in 1955 for his role in Noah and The Singing Maid. His theatrical mentor was the multi-talented tutor and theatre personality of the time, Joe Clement.
Besides acting, Preet’s role as a drama director earned him recognition. Many still remember his directorial prowess in The Singing Maid, Dhong, Uljhan and Loona.
After migrating to Cardiff, he continued with his theatrical passion. His bilingual success Palam to Heathrow scripted by Chaman and staged at the Paul Robeson Theatre in England was highly acclaimed.
I knew and admired Preet from my the early days of my romancing with radio and theatre. He believed that radio broadcasting helps a performing artist develop good speech skills, voice control, delivery and effective use of pace, pitch and pause.
We mourn the passing on of one of Kenya’s theatre stalwarts and renowned radio personality.
