Tag Archives: Noor Baig

Stage to screen

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Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

June 3 marks the anniversary of thespian and theatre legend Qadir Ali Baig.

Bengaluru :

June 3 marks the anniversary of thespian and theatre legend Qadir Ali Baig. In the ‘old normal’, stalwarts like Habib Tanvir, M S Sathyu, Rohini Hattangady and Shabana Azmi have performed on the occasion. But this year, which marks the 36th anniversary of the veteran theatre person, has his son Mohammad Ali Baig, a Padma Shri recipient himself, doing the different. 

A dramatised reading of Alone, a story of a yesteryear movie actress coming to terms with her role in real life during the lockdown, will be ‘staged’ online on Wednesday. “A new theatre spectacle, titled My Father – His Exalted Highness, on the life of the last Nizam of Hyderabad, was scheduled for its London and Russian stagings this year. But owing to the pandemic, both the shows got rescheduled,” says theatre revivalist Baig.  

Later this month, their globally-acclaimed plays, Quli: Dilon ka Shahzaada and 1857: Turrebaz Khan, and a collection of 10 short stories, A-Quaint-Essences by the doyen’s daughter-in-law, actress-writer Noor Baig, will be launched. The online tribute would be in the form of Baig reading one of the stories from that collection, titled Alone. 

Known for extravagant sets, Baig wasn’t keen on going ahead with an online theatre experience, which would neither be a play, web series or film. “Our historical works don’t fit into the online format and I felt doing so would only be a compromise. Not wanting to lose the charm of our works, we decided to go ahead with a format where the focus is on words, story, accent and storytelling,” he says about the one-man show in English, Hindi and bits of French.

He adds, “Since the premise of Baba’s work was that theatre should transcend boundaries, serving the true spirit of humanity and oneness, reaching out to those who make theatre around the country possible is important in these critical times.”Alone can be viewed on Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation’s YouTube channel and Facebook page on Wednesday at 7.30 pm.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / June 03rd, 2020

Hyderabad boy’s life holds spotlight in London

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Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Mohammad Ali Baig in a scene from 'Under an Oak Tree' in London
Mohammad Ali Baig in a scene from ‘Under an Oak Tree’ in London

Hyderabad :

A play based on a Hyderabadi palace set in the mid-19th century has taken centre stage in London. The play’s premier attracted connoisseurs of theatre and enthusiasts of Hyderabadi history, drama and heritage.
“Under an Oak Tree”, presented by Hyderabadi theatre revivalist Mohammad Ali Baig, is based on the story of a boy born in the 19th century Ahmed Bowla Bagh Palace built by Nizam V Nawab Afzal Jah Bahadur. The play was produced by Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation. The premiere show was sold out one week before the play was staged.

“The hour-long bio-play retraces the protagonist’s journey from the seclusion of a 19th century palace spread over 100 acres with a 100-horse stud farm, to the glitzy world of advertising and ultimately, to the intense spotlight of theatre, getting him one of the highest civilian honours of the country. The play aptly presents the changing political and social scenario in a post-Independence, post-Privy Purse era of the princely state of Berar and Deccan and consequently, the changing times,” Mohammad Ali Baig told TOI.

He said the play beautifully captures the story of a boy growing into adolescence without any friends, where the next neighbour was 5km away. The boy had more ponies than toys to play with. Written by Noor Baig, the play was directed by Mohammad Ali Baig. He also acts in it.

Mohammad Ali Baig has presented his plays earlier in Turkey, US, Canada and UK, taking Hyderabadi heritage to the global spotlight. The play is scheduled for its Indian tour in Bengaluru, Mumbai and other places this month.

“It’s really fulfilling when global audiences, accustomed to the best of world theatre, give an original Hyderabadi flavour such an amazing response with full house attendance,” he said.

According to Rehana Ameer, councillor of the City of London (the first Indian-origin woman of the elite Westminister district), the buzz was such that people from the Edinburgh and Oxford Universities came to London to watch the show. Prof Tariq Muneer, Millennium Fellow at Edinburgh University, also lauded the Hyderabadi play.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Hyderabad News / by Syed Akbar / TNN / April 12th, 2018

Revisiting the life and times of Hayat Bakshi Begum

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Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

A day after staging the internationally-feted heritage play, Quli: Dilon ka Shahzaada , actor-director-playwrighter Mohammad Ali Baig staged its sequel, Saavan-e-Hayat in Golconda Fort this Sunday celebrating the splendour of the Qutub Shahs.

A biographical play on the life of Golconda’s de facto empress, Hayat Bakshi, the only child of Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah and perhaps the most powerful lady of medieval Deccan.

A magnificent blend of great writing and commendable acting ensured the 65 minute play in Hindustani kept the audience glued to their seats.

The play featuring Mohammad Ali Baig in triple roles as Hayat’s father, husband and son, Rashmi Seth as old Hayat, Noor Baig as young Hayat and Ayushi Gupta as adolscent Hayat also featured Vijay Prasad, Kavita Golechha and SA Majeed in prominent roles.

It was well-attended and generously applauded by the theatre lovers and the locals alike who thronged the fort to watch the historic play.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Hyderabad News / December 20th, 2016