Qadir Ali Theatre Festival Enthralls Audiences, Sets Benchmarks

‘My Father – His Exalted Highness’ by Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation is unanimously audience’s favorite

Hyderabad’s landmark theatre, Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival wowed city’s audiences yet again with another splendid array of theatrical performances. The fantastic festival seemed to be the sum of its impressive parts but was also resplendent in its entirety and held during 10-day celebration of theatre at its finest.

Principal Secretary to Government of Telangana IT & C Mr. Jayesh Ranjan said, “the Festival has put Hyderabad on the global map of performing arts [, and has] truly has made October-November the time to anticipate for Hyderabad audiences as well as world-class performers from all over the globe. Every year, the audience base multiplies where originally there was almost none. It is all thanks to the efforts of this Festival and the Foundation”.

British Deputy High Commissioner Dr. Andrew Fleming, who was accompanied to the festival by Swedish guests,  fervently lauded the multicultural nature of the festival saying, “what a multicultural Festival – to have an Argentinean play in Hyderabad at the French Centre. This is a true meeting of minds”.

Commissioner of Information and Public Relations and Principal Secretary, MAUD, Arvind Kumar too lauded the Festival, ”UNESCO had asked us to submit information about Hyderabad’s cultural facets and in our report regarding the arts scenario in Hyderabad, we wrote extensively about Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation and its pivotal role in uplifting the arts environment of Hyderabad and Telangana state”.

The festival spread across venues from Ravindra Bharathi, Alliance Francaise, Radisson Blu Plaza and Taramati Baradari Cultural Complex. Curated by renowned artist himself and festival Director Mohammad Ali Baig, the festival line-up featured a mix of the country’s newest and best plays over the past year.

However, the pick of the Festival was unanimously the Foundation’s own premiering production, ‘My Father – His Exalted Highness’. Audiences have been seen raving about the period play, said Prof. Bhaskar Shewalker, former professor of Drama, University of Hyderabad.” From script to design and direction, presentation and performances, ‘My Father- His Exalted Highness’ was a mind-boggling production that raised the bar of theatre in town”. Dr. Mohan Agashe, who performed in the play, remarked that “It is flattering to see such support and response to Theatre Festival as this, unparalleled anywhere in the country.”

According to General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel, “Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival is Hyderabad’s marquee event” while actor Shekhar Suman expressed at the “discerning Hyderabad audience” and remarked, “Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival is a boon for all theatre actors and I wish to come here every year now onwards”.

Nadira Babbar who brought her ‘Footnotes of Life – Haashiye Zindagi Ke’, brought the pick of her repertoire to the Festival believes the festival “embodies Qadir Ali Baig saheb’s passion for theatre. We are always thankful for the love and respect that Mohammad Ali Baig gives theatre artistes”, she said “adding that “he conduces this Festival with utter dignity”.

Renowned actress-director Usha Ganguli from Kolkata, who presented ‘Atmaj’, said “Coming to Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival feels like coming home”. Argentinean actress Anahi Martella, who performed her play ’74 Days of Autumn’ said “On the other side of the planet, I am receiving so much love and appreciation. It feels incredible that this marvel called theatre unites us”.

Renowned director of Theatre, Television & Films, “I feel proud to pay my humble respect to the great personality who did such modern theatre in a conservative city like Hyderabad in those times. This theatre festival is a recognition and tribute to Qadir Ali Baig Saab’s cultural revolution in the field of theatre. I salute him”.

Audience were heard praising the Festival team for bringing the rare folk form of Tholu Bommalaata puppet theatre from Anantapur which showcased excerpts from Ramayana and Mahabharata in Telugu. Says Pallavi Singh, “Where do we get to see such rare and amazing art forms these days in the cities? We are so thankful to the Festival for bringing it to us to watch with so much convenience”, said Swapan Reddy.

“So thrilled that my 10-year-old daughter got to not just watch but also participate in the workshop on puppet making to understand this ancient and precious craft”, she added.

New York-based actor-director-playwright Jeff Goldberg whose adaptation of ‘The Odd Couple’ was staged at this festival said, “it is solely because of Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation that we get to come to Hyderabad and showcase our work to Hyderabad audiences”. Vikash Khurana from Nagpur said, “the Festival not only showcases world-renowned artistes but upcoming groups such as ours”.

The Festival is a reminder of the unifying power of theatre and the cosmopolitan culture of the city.