Hyderabad: ‘Sunset-Sunrise’: A powerful tribute to 20 years of Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad-based Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation has been praised for reviving the stage in a city like Hyderabad and around the world and becoming an institution by itself.

Fans in thousands all over Hyderabad

The foundation’s 20 years of sustained, glorious work about theatre has taken theatre beyond the realms of the venue to people’s lives, into their households. It is a common sight to see a 1,000-plus audience just from the city flock to the venues and queue up to watch a Baig Foundation play, featuring the stellar performance of Mohammad Ali Baig on stage.

“Their plays tug right at your heartstrings,” said former bureaucrat AK Khan. Another regular Om Seth, a retired engineer, said, “When I first watched their spectacle ‘Taramati - The Legend of an Artiste’ at the historic Taramati monument, I felt transported to 17th century for two hours watching horses and camels on stage and five live song-and dance-sequences. It was unbelievable. And to see it on the Hyderabad stage made me proud.”

Modern plays have fans all around the world

While their historical spectacles are breathtaking, their modern plays are equally fan-adored internationally. The recent staging of their latest play, ‘Sunset-Sunrise’ saw an attendance from various countries such as Germany, Brazil and the USA. German actor-director Konrad Gunesch was so moved that he felt that this play not only inspired him and his theatre students but ‘gave them life-long insights and benefits.’ This is precisely what marks a Baig Foundation play apart.

What makes plays from the Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation stand out?

Credit it to Mohammad Ali Baig’s celebrated advertising films career in as many as seven countries that he spearheaded the revival with his strategic approach to capture audiences and attract top brands to associate with him. It can be the inheritance of his legendary father’s legacy of ‘Spectacle Theatre.’

His blending of content with high production values and aesthetics make his theatre a true luxe experience.

“Mr Baig epitomises Hyderabad. It’s an absolute matter of prestige for any brand to be associated with him. He has changed the cultural landscape of the twin-cities,” said Sandeep Joshi of Radisson Blu Plaza. AK Khan said, “His devotion has given the city an identity in the global cultural sphere. For us Hyderabadis, the beginning of winter season means the Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival. It is so enshrined in the city’s and its people’s lives.”

The amazing performances in Sunset-Sunrise

Sunset-Sunrise, which premiered with the Telangana governor in attendance, had the audience spellbound. Veteran Rashmi Seth as Mamta was superb. Vijay Prasad, an almost-Alzheimer's affected father, proved his mettle in his brief appearance. Mohammad Ali Baig, looking dapper in his many well-styled costume changes, stole the show, moving the audience to tears as entrepreneur NRI Kunal. Writer Noor Baig, introduced to Hyderabad’s stage and ably groomed by hubby Baig, wrote this play keeping the present-day familial issue of distances in mind. It’s this writer-director duo which gave the world of theatre memorable plays year after year in the past decade in India and overseas. Little wonder that five of their previous plays premiered on the London stage, no mean feat. Even the hallowed halls of Oxford University and Edinburgh Fest echoed with standing ovations for their ‘Quli - Prince of Hearts’ and ‘1857 - Turrebaz Khan’, so also iconic venues in Istanbul, Canada and Singapore.