Fellow comedians and friends of legendary actor/comedian Habeeb Khan who died on Tuesday, yesterday described him as an icon and expressed regret that he was never properly honoured for his contribution to comedy in Guyana.
“(The death of) Habeeb is a big loss to Guyana,” said close friend and actor/comedian Linden ‘Jumbie’ Jones. He said that Khan was misjudged as being vulgar but explained that the late comedian had a lot of humour for the closed society he lived in. The ‘Nothing To Laugh About’ producer said that his other show, ‘Uncensored’ was created to facilitate Khan’s style of comedy.
Jones said that he would never forget his visit to Khan’s home on Father’s Day. He recalled that the moment he arrived,
Khan started to cry. “He was surprised,” Jones said. He recounted that Khan told him that it was his birthday and he was the only one to visit him. The last time he visited Khan was two Sundays ago and he learnt that he was ill, Jones added.
The comedian said that he will forever remember Khan’s ability to imitate any character. Additionally, he said, Khan influenced his entry into the fraternity and his work.
Actor/Comedian Henry Rodney shared similar thoughts. He too said that Guyana has lost a great entertainer and icon. “Despite what people said about him, he was the grandfather of comedy of the Caribbean,” Rodney opined.
Rodney said that he admired Khan’s spontaneity. “He could be doing a routine and hear heckling in the crowd and silence that heckler,” Rodney stated, adding that, “he [Khan] was multi-talented.” A vacuum has been left in the comedy fraternity, Rodney said.
Like Jones, Rodney said that what he remembers most about the illustrious Khan, was his ability to become any character. “I haven’t seen any other comedian do that,” he asserted even as he recollected Khan playing the role of an old lady, an Englishman and an Indian National among many others, all to perfection. “The fraternity has lost an icon, we will miss him,” Rodney said. Khan, who he admired since childhood, also influenced his entry into comedy, the man said.
Also sharing his memories of Khan was actor/comedian Kirwyn Mars, who told Stabroek News that he met Khan while acting in the Mori J’ Von comedy show and later the ‘Nothing To Laugh About’ comedy show. “Habeeb was a legend and an icon, the father of comedy in Guyana,” said Mars. He added that there was never a dull moment with Khan, whom he described as a good advisor. “I will miss him,” Mars stated. He expressed sadness at the fact that Khan was never properly honoured for his contribution to Guyana.
“Habeeb was so much more than a comedian. He was a father figure. A mentor. A friend….he has touched our lives and that print would last a lifetime. RIP captain,” said Odessa Primus on her Facebook page.
Khan lost the battle to asthmatic bronchitis, passing away in his sleep at his Friendship, East Bank Demerara home on Tuesday. He was 78.
