By Mushtaque B Barq
Tariq Javeed, President of J and K Doordarshan and Radio Drama Artists and Freelance Producers and Directors Association established in 1973 is a high-flying figure of the Television world of Seventies, who not only created a space for himself in the room already flooded with T.V. actors and artists, but also impressed one and all by his acting, eloquence and multidimensional demeanor. The artist was heard as one of the characters in the world famous Radio Programme broadcast by Radio Kashmir Zun-e-Dub and in the propaganda programmes Waadi Ki Awaz and worked as a drama artist in a 50 episode series Sindbad Jahazi (Alif Laila).
The veteran was born on 4th May, 1954 at Shahid Gunj Srinagar Kashmir, an area which used to be the centre of attraction for social gatherings and activities relating to trade and commerce. He got his primary education from DAV School and then later joined National High School Karan Nagar and from this school to S.P College for higher studies. Tariq Javeed is known for his daring contribution in the world of Television when he rescued Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar in 90’s, which had received a setback due to the demise of Lassa Koul, thus creating an unfathomable abyss. He took a daring step by volunteering himself as an announcer under hostile conditions. Tariq Javeed is the only film maker of the Valley who was selected to Produce and Direct a National Documentary in English Living Heritage- Kashmir’s Architecture Through Ages for the National Broadcaster of the Upper House of Indian Parliament (2012-2013). In 1989 under empanelment number 832, Tariq Javeed was registered as Director/ Producer by Prasad Bharati Broadcasting Corporation of India. The actor has played leading roles in Mahmood Gammi, Gul Gulshan Gulfam and Rang-a-Rung for National Channel of Doordarshan. Not only for Doordarshan, the actor has played his part in many films in Eighties like Yahan Say Sheher Ko Dekho, Fassad, Biju (Punjabi) Inquillab (Kashmiri) and in most remembered Kashmir film Zooni( Habba Khatoon) by Muzaffar Ali, the actor played a role of a saint . As a drama artist the zeal to produce and direct film from the Valley, Tariq Javeed started his own Production House under the banner R.R.Productions which not only brought forth 50 productions but also 500 episodes. The Production house has in its credit a documentary on Shaer-i- Kashmir Mehjoor in which Nayeema Ahmad Mehjoor, the daughter-in-law of Mehjoor was a leading narrator. First digital full length film Akh Daleel Lolech a film which was produced in Kashmir by a Kashmiri Producer after a gap of 39 years in which Taqir Javeed played a leading role as Jagirdar Sikander. The tag name Sikander was used as attention grabbed for the masses and used as promotion for other film. A part from Production and Direction Tariq Javeed has written stories and screenplays and scripts for most of his Productions like Farishta (15 episodes), Akhr Kus Chhu (13 episodes), Birbal, Chakkar and Nokker and one famous Radio drama Ek Haqeeqat Ek Afsana is credited to his name. As a director one tele-film Baethe khor (Kashmiri) and ten episodes of Karim Nanwoor (Kashmiri), four episodes of Gul-Aur-Bulbul for M/S Chandni Video Makers and 50 episodes of Kule Khot Kul Sarde , an in house production of Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar. The actor director has also wonderfully directed English documentaries: Children of Today and six documentaries entitled Nizaam-e-Taleem for BAS Films, and for Zoom Enterprises eight episodes of Jhalkiyaani and ten episodes of tele-film Yateem.
Tariq Javeed has bagged Shakir and Aslam Memorial Award 2002-2003, Khillat-e-Mahjoor 2008, Athwaas Award 2010, Awarded by J and K Film Makers on 10 Day Comedy Drama Festival 2011, Bakhshi Memorial Award 2011, Infotel Award for outstanding Negative role 2013 and on 2016, the actor /Director was felicitated under the heading Naamwar by J and K Academy of Art, Culture and Language in association with Radio Kashmir Srinagar. Tariq Javeed in an interview makes his experience as an actor/ Director public.
Q. What made you to opt for acting?
Well! From the childhood I had an obsession for acting. I used to watch and learn from the veterans. In 1969 I started to give myself a vent by performing on the stage and for the Radio plays. People acknowledged my performance that imbibed a strong verve in me and I never looked back. It was to be honest the appreciation that bedecked my dream. In 1973 Television took over in Kashmir and it was the platform I was looking for. I feel lucky that I performed in the first show that was telecast from DDK Srinagar on 26th January, 1973. I even tried my luck to work in films, but I struggled to make this dream come true. During that phase, let me convey honesty, I learnt the intricacies of acting which later helped me to work for DDK Mumbai as an actor. Life is all about learning and one must keep learning. The passion to learn actually nursed my quest which was deep rooted into the recesses of my heart and I was able to perform owing to the reason that acting was the only need of my hunt for success.
Q What has been your remarkable contribution at Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar?
Both as an actor and Director I have contributed much, but as a trustee of the Kendra I consider myself lucky to rescue Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar when the then director DDK Srinagar Lassa Koul was assassinated and for many days announcements died down, but it was me who took daring steps and carried the announcements. I still believe that one must serve the place where you are emotionally and socially connected to. I offered myself for the services of the Kendra when my services were badly required. One cannot betray the stage that has carved an artist out of you and I did what all was possible as a gentle man and loyal member of the Kendra. I even during these hard times worked as an announcer for the Propaganda Programme Waadi Ki Awaz for Radio Kashmir. I think this was out of box responsibility that I offered and I have a strong perception that this was the best service I rendered.
Q Is it true that some character (s) in the play(s) offer an actor the name he lives for?
This is absolutely true. When you perform on the stage or Television, you are not you as an individual but the character of the play and if you perform to the satisfaction of the viewers, you are raised as hero and remembered among the masses as the Character name. And if it happens in your life as an actor you are successful. People remember you by the profession and that is what all you need to earn. In a tele- serial Insaf I played as ‘Sikander’ and I was known by this name and people would call me by this name. In Aalaw I had a role which I played to the satisfaction of my viewers who later attributed me as Tae Chinche and TJ-The Detective in Akhr Kus Chhu. A dedicated actor enjoys the attributes throughout life. An actor lives as a character and enjoys the warmth and admiration from viewers. I still remember that in a tele- film Parchuon, I was portrayed as abnormal boy Raja and this was the most difficult role which I played and rated as one of the most remarkable roles I have played in my acting career. When this role was offered to me, to be honest I denied because I was known as Bad boy of Television for my negative roles, but I was convinced. On the way to shooting spot, I asked the driver to stop at Dalgate and I came out of the car and asked the director to watch me on the road performing a live demonstration of Raja, an abnormal boy. I tried to cross the road twice as Raja with a limp and hum and haw. A gentle man helped me to cross the road and asked me what I need. He was convinced that I was abnormal as he took me to a nearby shop, I asked for a candy with a hand held tight on the chest with saliva trickling down on the shirt. I cried and wept and repeated the act to the best of my satisfaction. Actually no one save my director knew that I had put myself on the trials. The man again helped me to cross the road and left. My director in the car was much impressed and came out and dragged me back in the car.
There are very interesting off stage details which I want to share with readers. After the shooting of Insaaf at Phalgam our car ran out of petrol and it was already dark, we were left high and dry on the road. I had put on Pran Ji’s like (a legendary Bollywood actor) dress and I came out of the car and looked round, nothing came handy before we located local lads in the area who had petrol canes dumped in their shops. For the first time my attire and the real acting on the road proved in favour as they took me and the crew members as real officials and not only handed over the petrol canes to us but also begged for mercy not to be charged against illegal sale of petrol.
During the shooting of Parchuon , in which I played as Raja, a paralyzed boy with a limp, oozing saliva from the mouth, holding two toys under the arm symbolizing parents. On the set when I was performing, I lost myself and adopted Raja as real. To my surprise, all five camera men, Director and Producer had left the set. It was the scene performed under dim lights. I was repeating “Mother must be given my heart, she is ill” and felt in the lap of mother in the play and I was profusely weeping which was not actually in the script. After the shot I found my Producer Director Mr. Mir Mushtaq and entire camera crew weeping. I later on realised that it was not me as Tariq Javid but Raja at his best. It was the peak of my acting career.
Q How R.R. Productions took birth?
In 1990, I started my own Production house RR Productions with an objective to promote the budding artists and local actors and Producers. This Production House so for presented 50 Productions in various languages amounting 500 episodes. It was under this banner I Produced and directed a documentary on Shair-e-Kashmir Mehjoor. Many prominent singers, actors and makeup artists were promoted by RR Productions like Seth Rafi, Aijaz Rah and others.
Q You have been a successful Producer as well, apprise us of some of your outstanding Productions?
As for my Productions are concerned I believe I have a healthy list of Productions. Some of my exceptional Productions are: Mehjoor, Pragash, Sonzli Hind Rang, Parchoun, Posh-e-maal, Akhar Kus Chhu, Karma Di Saaza, ( first Pahari serial) Be te Meyn Zindagi, Akh Daleel Lolech , 50 segments of Subhai-Subaie . My career as Producer has lent a hand in penetrating into the very matrix of the society and to bring at fore many programmes covering social issues and education. I produced short films on family welfare, ‘Save Petrol’, ‘National Integration’, ‘Care of Girl Child’ and ‘Cigarette smoking’. Tote Gove Kole and Zan Zar Zameen of Sajood Saloni were directed by me.
Q What motivated you to write?
Acting is how to put a mask on your person, direction is to guide you how to use the mask; Production is all about the financial assistance to support the script and the script is what propels the ship. I started to write for the reason to present what all I observe around me in the way I wish to see and perceive. Earlier I used to act on the scripts monitored by others and I felt that I should promote my own point of view and that is what inspired me to write. As a writer I developed a wonderful sensitive eye that could peep down the guts of society and later transferred on the screen. Writing and acting are interlinked; one cannot be cut off from the other. The pen percolates down the narrows lanes of life and acting brings it before the viewers in the best possible way. The words and expression are best served when screened. Writing for T.V. and Radio was a tremendous experience to project my keen study and research before the viewers and listeners.
Q. You have worked with many Directors and Producers in Radio and DD Kendra; can you name a few who have contributed to bring the best out of you?
Indeed I have worked with legends. My Godfather has been Mr. Farooq Nazki who introduced me to Television audience and polished my acting. All my producers have supported me whole heartedly. I would like to mention few of my favourite Producers whose assistance upgraded my acting. They are: Late Zaffar Ahmad, Jai Kishan Zutshi, Bansi Koul ji, Mr Handoo, Rajesh Koul , Zeeshan Fazil, Shabir Mujahid, Siraj Qureshi , Ashok Vishnavi, Pyari Rania, Dr. Sohan Lal Koul, Gh Mohi-ud-din , Gh. Hassan Dar, Mufti Riyaz and above all Mr. Zahid Manzoor. It was Mr. Zahid Manzoor who nursed my talent and encouraged to direct the films. I consider him my Guru in the field of Direction.
Q. Every specialist knows the trade tricks, what tips you want to give to the budding actors of the Valley?
Well, to be frank, the only trade trick is to be sincere and open to learn. One must learn from the mistakes and mistakes are the best guides. Acting is an art; one must join an institution to get formal training. A good actor is knows his world. Nothing comes to you in free. I wish and pray that all the budding actors who have keen to learn may touch the peaks of excellence. The best tip is to respect teachers, love youngsters and above all be God fearing. When you fear God, the fear itself teaches.
Mushtaq B.Barq is a Columnist, Poet and Fiction Writer. He is the author of “Feeble prisoner, “ Wings of Love” and many translation works are credited to the author like “ Verses Of Wahab Khar” and “ Songs Of Sochkral”