At Chand Tara trailer launch, Governor stresses importance of language and cultural heritage
Hyderabad: Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Tuesday underscored the need to preserve mother tongues, cultural traditions and artistic heritage, while paying rich tributes to legendary theatre personality Qadir Ali Baig during the launch of the movie trailer for 'Chand Tara'.
The Governor also congratulated Mohammad Ali Baig for the warm reception to the movie's trailer, which recently premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in France.
Need to preserve artistic and cultural heritage
Addressing the gathering on the occasion of the 42nd death anniversary of Qadir Ali Baig, the Governor said contemporary cultural consciousness is shaped by the harmonious confluence of individuals and institutions.
"It is this partnership that preserves, nurtures and enriches our artistic and cultural heritage," he said.
Remembering Qadir Ali Baig, the Governor described him as a visionary who elevated theatre to new heights through his creativity, dedication and passion. His contribution, he said, extended beyond entertainment and served as a bridge between cultures, communities and traditions.
Legacy for future generations
"The legacy he left behind continues to inspire theatre practitioners and cultural institutions across the country," Shukla observed, adding that future generations must remain connected to the rich traditions of theatre and the performing arts.
Calling for greater support to the arts, he said preserving cultural heritage was essential to maintaining society's collective identity. "History and tradition must be kept alive," he remarked.
'Art reduced to commercial success'
Drawing a contrast between earlier generations of artists and the present era, the Governor said many artists of the past dedicated themselves entirely to sustaining their art forms, whereas contemporary discussions often revolved around commercial success and box-office performance.
Speaking on the occasion, Padma Shri awardee Mohammad Ali Baig, who also plays Abdullah Qutb Shah in the movie, recalled the pioneering work of his father, Qadir Ali Baig, who staged larger-than-life productions during the 1970s despite the absence of modern technology and technical resources. He also stressed preserving the cultural harmony and unity in diversity of the region, terming Hyderabad Deccan a microcosm of India.
"It was a remarkable coincidence that his first stage production two decades ago was based on the legend of Taramati, while his debut feature film Chand Tara also draws inspiration from the same legendary narrative associated with Hyderabad's cultural history", said Baig.
Three video songs from Chand Tara were previewed during the event. Members of the cast and crew of the film were present on this occasion.
About Chand Tara
Chand Tara brings together an ensemble of acclaimed talent from across Indian cinema and music, including. Anupam Kher and Mohan Agashe.
Ranjana Srivastava essays the role of Taramati, while Baig himself portrays Sultan Abdullah Qutub Shah. Veteran Hyderabad actors Masood Akhtar, Rashmi Seth and SA Majeed play pivotal roles. The film's music is composed by Karthik Ilaiyaraaja, with vocals by Lucky Ali and Vasundhara Das. Costume design comes from Hyderabad's noted designer Vinita Pittie, while the film's lyrical soul draws from the poetry of Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah himself, alongside original writing by Baig and dialogues by FM Saleem.