Noted theater actor and director, Mr. Mohammed Ali Baig of Hyderabad has been given Padma Shree award by Govt. of India. He followed the footsteps of his late father Qadir Ali Baig and actor-brother Moin Ali Baig. He founded Khader Ali Baig Foundation to commemorate the services rendered by his father, late Khader Ali Baig for Urdu Theater. It is more than 20 years of struggle in reviving Urdu theater in Hyderabad. He worked in major corporate houses before taking up his passion for theatre.
On receiving Padma Shree award he said,
“My theatre is a blend of my father’s classicism and my brother’s modernity and the award is also recognition of Hyderabadi culture and civilization as depicted in the dramas enacted by the Artistes”.
He has revived the theatre movement which was vanishing. Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation is accredited with bringing some of best known plays to the city in the past 10 years. His annual theatre festivals have become an important part of the Hyderabad’s cultural calendar.
Baig took Hindustani and Urdu plays to several prestigious theater festivals in different parts of India and abroad. He is credited with popular plays like Quli – Dilon ka Shahzaada; Taramati-A Legend of an Artiste; His Exalted Highness; Raat Phoolon Ki; and Resham Ki Dor; etc. which have received accolades and won awards.
On receiving Padma Shri, he said, “It’s certainly one of the most fulfilling awards of my life, because it recognizes what my family has been doing for the past several decades. I dedicate this award to Baba, the late Qadir Ali Baig Sahib.
The award is also a tribute to my mother Razia Begum and brother Moin Ali Baig.”
My first reaction on hearing the news was to thank the Almighty “Allah “for the honour and then kissed my mother’s feet for her blessings and support all through my revival movement”, he added.