April has been an eventful month in the Baig’s household. If the Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation has completed 10 years of its journey in the city, one of their plays Spaces written by Noor Baig and directed by Mohammad Ali Baig is scheduled for an international premiere and will be staged at Chicago. “In fact, this is the third play where we as a couple have acted together and are presenting it overseas,” says an excited Noor. Before travelling to Chicago, Spaces will be staged today at Chowmahalla Palace on the occasion of World Heritage Day.
Spaces showcases the story of changing Hyderabad. Set in a haveli , the protagonist Azziza (played by Noor) is struggling to preserve the heritage and there is a conflict between her traditional outlook and her modern Chicago-based fiancé (played by Mohammad Ali Baig). The play also features Rashmi Seth, Vijay Prasad, S.A. Majeed and Madhu Swaminath.
Spaces was originally a short story written by Noor, who hails from Chennai. The short story which even won a prize depicts ‘two contrasting worlds between old Madras and new Madras.’ Now, the story has been adapted to Hyderabad.
Was it easy finding a connect with Hyderabad? “I have been living here post marriage and have realised Chennai and Hyderabad are similar in terms of their ideas. There is this blend of tradition and modernity. In old Hyderabad, the customs are maintained and big families which live in havelis are proud of their heritage and are witness to the changing times,” she points out.
Noor says this is not a story of one city. “The idea of Spaces echoes in places like Lucknow, Kerala and Calcutta where people want to retain their heritage and childhood space. A lot of people have these thoughts inside their minds. It is not just about geographical, physical or environment spaces. It is also about the basic - what home means to people. The space between two people could be either too claustrophobic or too much space. It is also an individual’s definition of space,” she observes.
Noor says it is a great impetus when the work gets rewarded. “I have always been writing and structuring narratives. The play was a birthday present to my husband. It is a great feeling to watch ideas turn into real living,” she smiles.