The female act

The 19th edition of the Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival was of the women and by the women

- RAHUL DEVULAPALLI

The historic Taramati Baradari, a cultural complex in Hyderabad, was a fitting venue for the 19th edition of the Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival, which offered a platform for women to narrate stories of women. After all, Taramati Baradari was built in fond memory of a multi-faceted artist and the favourite courtesan of a Qutb Shahi king. In the play Miracle on Matunga Street, for example, actor and singer Ila Arun transforms into Tulsa Harry Peter, a matriarch protecting her family. In Farida, directed by Nadira Babbar, a young Kashmiri wife tries to make sense of her life after her husband abandons her. In Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai, actor Himani Shivpuri plays a greying yet colourful lady who strikes up a relationship with a doctor completely unlike her.

The 2024 edition was a tribute to Begum Razia Beg, wife of the thespian Qadir Ali Baig, and mother of the festival director and Padma Shri recipient Mohammad Ali Baig. Razia died earlier this year after co-curating the festival for 18 years. “She was a woman of perseverance who carried on the mantle of theatre for 40 years,” said Mohammad Ali. “She was also a constructive critic who was more than a mother to me. She mentored many theatre artistes across the country. It was a surreal feeling to see actors break protocol and touch her feet before the show.

She was not an actor, but rather focused on production, aesthetics, costumes, content and presentation. She never wanted credit. The only time I saw her disagree with my father was when he wanted her name on the brochure.”