Celebrating Begum Razia Baig: Artistes to pay tribute to theatre legend on June 1

Hyderabad: From works of Tamil poet Subramania Bharati to Norwegian playwright Ibsen; Urdu poet Sardar Jafferi to Marathi lyricist Bal Kolhatkar; Hindi dramatist Vijay Tendulkar to Telugu playwright Yandamoori; the country’s performing arts fraternity gets together on June 1 to pay respects to theatre matriarch Begum Razia Baig.

Begum Razia Baig, a distinguished figure in Hyderabad’s theatre scene, recently bid farewell, left behind a legacy of grace and inspiration that resonates not only within the city but across the globe.

Renowned singer, theatre artiste and Bollywood actor Ila Arun; theatre and cinema thespian Mohan Agashe; danseuse Vani Ganapathy; stage and television actress Rashmi Seth; national award-winning actor Mita Vasisht (back from Cannes with her film ‘The Shameless’) and local Telugu actor-director Sreedhar Beecharaju are scheduled to present their brief performances on stage at Radisson Blu Plaza, Banjara Hills in the hour-long event.

Other eminent names speaking on the occasion are former minister Dr J Geetha Reddy, senior bureaucrat Jayesh Ranjan and MLC Amer Ali Khan.

Nivedita Baunthiyal, the vice-president of IPTA in Mumbai, one of India’s foremost theatre groups said, “Begum Razia Baig has been at the forefront of patronising and energising theatre artistes around the country and overseas. Her dedication to the art form, especially with her foundation and the annual Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival was truly inspirational.”

Juhi Babbar, actress and director of Ekjute Theatre said, “She embodied grace and commitment, epitomised Hyderabadi tehzeeb and proved that one need not be flamboyant to leave a profound impact as an artiste. Hyderabad lost a true theatre icon and it is befitting that we pay her this homage”

“This evening of theatre, poetry, prose, dance and classical music shall serve as an apt salutation to the matriarch known globally for her heritage and socially meaningful plays in Hindustani since the 1970s,” said veteran actress Rashmi Seth of the Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation.

Described as an elegant Hyderabadi lady, Begum Razia Baig possessed a quiet demeanour that belied her profound influence. Whether at forts, palaces, or luxurious venues, she exuded an air of noble etiquette, draped in pastel chiffons and silks with pearls. Her presence, though unassuming, spoke volumes, inspiring two generations of theatre performers and audiences alike.