Hyderabad boy’s life holds spotlight in London

HYDERABAD: A play based on a Hyderabadi palace set in the mid-19th century has taken centre stage in London. The play’s premier attracted connoisseurs of theatre and enthusiasts of Hyderabadi history, drama and heritage.

“Under an Oak Tree”, presented by Hyderabadi theatre revivalist Mohammad Ali Baig, is based on the story of a boy born in the 19th century Ahmed Bowla Bagh Palace built by Nizam V Nawab Afzal Jah Bahadur. The play was produced by Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation. The premiere show was sold out one week before the play was staged.


“The hour-long bio-play retraces the protagonist’s journey from the seclusion of a 19th century palace spread over 100 acres with a 100-horse stud farm, to the glitzy world of advertising and ultimately, to the intense spotlight of theatre, getting him one of the highest civilian honours of the country. The play aptly presents the changing political and social scenario in a post-Independence, post-Privy Purse era of the princely state of Berar and Deccan and consequently, the changing times,” Mohammad Ali Baig told TOI.

He said the play beautifully captures the story of a boy growing into adolescence without any friends, where the next neighbour was 5km away. The boy had more ponies than toys to play with. Written by Noor Baig, the play was directed by Mohammad Ali Baig. He also acts in it.

Mohammad Ali Baig has presented his plays earlier in Turkey, US, Canada and UK, taking Hyderabadi heritage to the global spotlight. The play is scheduled for its Indian tour in Bengaluru, Mumbai and other places this month.

“It’s really fulfilling when global audiences, accustomed to the best of world theatre, give an original Hyderabadi flavour such an amazing response with full house attendance,” he said.

According to Rehana Ameer, councillor of the City of London (the first Indian-origin woman of the elite Westminster district), the buzz was such that people from the Edinburgh and Oxford Universities came to London to watch the show. Prof Tariq Muneer, Millennium Fellow at Edinburgh University, also lauded the Hyderabadi play.