LAHORE: Famous cartoonist and animator Irshad Haider Zaidi died here on Wednesday. Known to all as Zaidi, the cartoonist, he gave people a satirical, funny and thoughtful take on political, social and personal issues.
Beginning his work in the early 1950s with the famous poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, he created many forms of editorial cartooning that garnered recognition and respect. Not known for staying in the comfort zone, he embraced animations evolving from sketches of newspaper cartoons, when Geo News launched Animated Editorial Cartoons, the nation’s first. The news channel produced two of Zaidi’s famous characters, Ool and Jalool, for many years, providing satirical commentary on daily events to a wider television audience. Zaidi’s cartoons have also been reproduced as a book “Zaidi kay Cartoons”, published by GEO-Jang Group.
Zaidi’s son, while writing his memories of his father, recalled his dedication to work, understanding and knowledge as an inspiration to follow. Creative artist, Irshad Haider Zaidi, who has made us happy with his wit and satire for nearly six decades, left behind his wife Yasmin, daughter, four sons and seven grandchildren.