The week-long ‘Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival’ that opened at the historic Salar Jung Museum concluded last night with spectacular ‘Quli : Dilon Ka Shahzaada’ staged to a packed house at The Trident. Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation’s globally acclaimed play based on the love-legend of founder of Hyderabad Quli Qutub Shah and his beloved Bhagmati was a fitting finale to the prestigious theatre extravaganza. Mohammad Ali Baig stole the show, and many more hearts with a majestic performance as Quli. “His body language, dialogue delivery and presence is an example of how an actor should be on stage”, said Ramchandra of Late Habib Tanvir’s Naya Theatre from Bhopal who saw the play. “It was magical”, exclaimed Stuart Campbell, Australian Consul General who came all the way from Chennai to watch the festival. Baharul Islam who teaches realistic acting in the National School of Drama, New Delhi felt, “Each dialogue of his created images, which is amazing for an actor. The environment this festival creates in Hyderbada for 10 days is stimulating and that compels us to come back and perform here”. Parneet Singh Sachdev, the Income Tax Commissioner saw it the third time and said it mesmerized him each time he saw Baig’s performance. Former Police Commissioner A. K. Khan and Special Commissioner GHMC Navin Mittal gave a standing ovation.
‘Quli: Dilon ka Shahzaada’ is a perfect blend of classical and modern theatre. It has now become Hyderabad heritage’s showpiece as much as a theatre legend. The week-long ‘Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival’ with this year’s theme of Love Stories once again enthralled Hyderabadis with a distinct selection of plays from across the country. Eminent directors from across the country like Lillette Dubey and IPTA from Mumbai, Sohaila Kapur from New Delhi, Seagull Repertory from Assam, Naya Theatre from Bhopal and Hyderabad’s theatre revivalist Mohammad Ali Baig staged their acclaimed plays, at different venues. Jean Manuel Duhaut, Director of Alliance Francaise said, “It’s this prestigious annual theatre event that we all wait for in Hyderabad”. GHMC’s Special Commissioner of former Collector Navin Mittal at the closing valedictory paid rich tributes to late Qadir Ali Baig in whose tribute this annual festival is held and said that, “This event is placing Hyderabad on the global theatre map with real quality theatre. Very soon, Hyderabad shall be the culture capital of India like Mumbai is the commercial capital and Delhi is the fashion capital”. Workshops and theatre-book readings were also a part of this prestigious theatre event.