Doyenne of Theatre Begum Razia Baig No More

Doyenne of theatre Begum Razia Baig, Chairperson of Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation and wife of Hyderabad’s theatre legend Qadir Ali Baig passed away Sunday afternoon at her ancestral Haveli in Hyderabad. She was 73. Recipient of several international honours including ‘Woman of the Decade’, she co-founded Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation and heralded the city’s theatre revival movement along with her actor-director son Padmasri Mohammad Ali Baig. Following her husband's demise in 1984, she raised her three sons into reputed theatre personalities and then in 2004, joined hands with the Ministry of I&PR to help bolster theatre in Hyderabad. Her devotion to her large extended theatre family of the country and her love for the city remained constant throughout her life.

She was known for producing heritage oriented historical spectacles at Palaces and forts around the world with plays like ‘Quli : Dilon ka Shahzaada’, ‘Savaan-e-Hayat’, ‘Spaces’, ‘Under an Oak Tree’ and others, which in addition to being staged at prestigious global theatre festival had the distinction of being invited to the revered University of Oxford and Edinburgh Fest. In the 1970s and 80s, her adaptations of plays ‘Udhar ka Pati’, ‘Sakharam Binder’, ‘Aadhey Adhure’ and several others for her legendary husband’s ‘New Theatre Hyderabad’ are remembered even today. She was also known for her authentic Hyderabadi cuisine columns and leading dailies. Sunday afternoon when she passed away, she was surrounded by her family, renowned theatre personalities Moin Ali Baig, Mohammad Ali Baig, Afzal Ali Baig and daughter-in-law author Noor Baig.

Son Padmasri Mohammad Ali Baig who was groomed by her, said “How do you grieve the loss of a person, an entity around whom my entire universe revolved. She meant the world to me and the family. It’s a loss of not just an outstanding mother but of a guide, mentor, critique and friend not just to me but for the entire theatre fraternity of the country. An extremely noble and magnanimous person, she devoted her entire life to an invaluable cause.”

With her passing away, an era seems to have come to an end.

Glowing tributes from across the country poured in as the news of her demise spread. 

“Deepest condolences.”

- Cinema & Theatre Thespian MS Sathyu (Mumbai)

“May the soul rest in peace. Great loss.”

- Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Santoor Maestro (Delhi)

“Heartfelt condolences.”

- Tamil Actress Suhasini Maniratnam (Chennai)

“Very sorry to know about the sad demise of Begum Razia Baig. I can’t forget her face.

A very pleasant personality. RIP.”

- Actress Ila Arun

She was a gem of a person. Sincerest and Heartfelt condolence to the family.”

- Danseuse Vani Ganapathy (Bangalore)

“My Deepest condolences to the entire family.”

- Santoor Maestro Rahul Sharma

“Incredible loss. I hope her soul is at peace.”

- Actress Heeba Shah

“My deepest condolences to the team and family. RIP Begum Sahiba

- Director Raman Kumar (IPTA, Mumbai)

“Very sad news. Begum Razia has been in the forefront in patronising and encouraging theatre in Hyderabad and all over India along with her family. Deepest Condolences. May her soul rest in peace.”

- Filmmaker Ramesh Talwar

“Her poise, dignity and charm epitomized her graceful personality. Her smile will be etched in our memory forever.”

- TV & Stage Veteran Rashmi Seth (Hyderabad)

“Just read with sadness about Begum Razia Baig...my affections for you never fade.”

- Actress Dolly Thakore

“Really sorry to hear about Razia ji”

- Quasar Padamsee (QTP Theatre, Mumbai)

“My deepest Condolences.”

- Singer Jaswinder Singh

“Very sad to know about sad demise of Begum Razia , may her soul rest in peace.”

- Theatre Veteran K K Raina

“Very sad.”

- Actress Juhi Babbar (Ekjute Theatre, Mumbai)

“Our prayers. Rest in peace.”

- Theatre Veteran Masood Akhtar

“Oh Om Shanti.”

- Uma Jhunjhunwala (Little Thespian, Kolkata)

“Very sorry to read this news, Anuj. Please convey my heartfelt condolences to Mohd & Noor. May her soul rest in peace. Amen.”

- Theatre Person Mala Pasha (Hyderabad)

“My heartfelt condolence for this tragic loss.”

- Filmmaker Rinki Bhattacharya

“Oh! Grieved, My Shraddhanjali to BEGUM RAZIA BAIG. RIP.”

- Actor Anjan Srivasta