Uncle Sargam
Uncle Sargam (Urdu: انکل سرگم) is a puppet character that first appeared in the Pakistani children's television show Kaliyan, aired on PTV in 1976.[1] Uncle Sargam was created and voiced by the award-winning puppeteer and television director Farooq Qaiser.[1] Uncle Sargam and Maasi Museebtay are regarded as Pakistan's legendary puppet duo.[2]
Uncle Sargam | |
---|---|
Kaliyan, Sargam Time, Daak Time, Siyasi Kaliyan, Sargam Back Home character | |
![]() Farooq Qaiser and his puppet Uncle Sargam | |
First appearance | 1976 |
Created by | Farooq Qaiser |
Voiced by | Farooq Qaiser |
In-universe information | |
Nickname | Sargam |
Gender | Male |
Religion | Muslim |
Nationality | Pakistani |
The satirical Uncle Sargam was the most vocal critic on state television under General Zia-ul-Haq's dictatorship in the 1980s.[3] Later appearances were in the TV show Daak Time in 1993. The character appeared and hosted a television talk show Syasi Kaliyan at Dawn News in 2010.
The character also appeared in a Pakistan National Council of the Arts-organised show in Islamabad.[1][4] Uncle Sargam later appeared in a charity show function organised by the NGO Mashal at the National Library of Pakistan in Islamabad in July 2013.[5] In March 2014, the Oxford University Press held an Uncle Sargam puppet show to help children differentiate between original and pirated books at Peshawar’s Archives Library.[6]
In 2018, a diorama of Uncle Sargam was inaugurated at Lok Virsa Museum in Islamabad as a tribute to both the character and Farooq Qaiser.[7][8]
References
- "Paying tribute: After decades, Uncle Sargam remains darling of the crowd". tribune.com.pk. 17 June 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- Subba, Bhim (2000). Kidstuff: A Resource Book for Media Covering Children in South and South East Asia. Panos Institute South Asia. p. 62. ISBN 9789993330462. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
First, they called on the services of Uncle Sargam and Maasi Museebte, Pakistan's legendary puppet duo, to put on a command performance for the children of Thatta.
- Awan, Nishat (2017). Diasporic Agencies: Mapping the City Otherwise. Taylor & Francis. p. 79. ISBN 9781317151272. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
- "'Uncle Sargam' revives old memories". dailytimes.com.pk. 16 June 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- "Mashal school: Uncle Sargam lifts spirits at charity show". tribune.com.pk. 7 July 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
- Farooq, Umer (27 March 2014). "First edition: Children learn about piracy from Uncle Sargam". Express Tribune. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
- Kundi, Asma (9 February 2018). "Lok Virsa pays tribute to Uncle Sargam creator Farooq Qaiser". Dawn. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
- Jabri, Parvez (9 February 2018). "Uncle Sargam Diorama inaugurated at Heritage Museum". Business Recorder. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
Further reading
- Ali, Muhammad (15 December 2016). "Recalling Uncle Sargam through Omar Gilani's painting". The Nation. Retrieved 9 February 2018.