Play ‘Haaye Akhtari’ tracks Begum Akhtar’s journey
‘Haaye Akhtari’ is a play written and directed by Dubai-based Sanjeev Dixit.
vo jo ham meñ tum meñ qarār thā tumheñ yaad ho ki na yaad ho
vahī ya.anī va.ada nibāh kā tumheñ yaad ho ki na yaad hoThat peace that we had between us, whether you remember or not,
That promise of staying loyal, whether you remember or not.
- Begum Akhtar
There’s no one who could hold such court that one would stifle their sneezes and gentle their breathing in the presence of her song. Her rich velvety vocals could send ripples through the crowd.
There’s much that can be said about the prowess of the queen of Ghazals, Begum Akhtar; her grace, her beauty and her love for her art form. But why tell when you can show it on stage? Haaye Akhtari, a play written and directed by Dubai-based Sanjeev Dixit, melds song, dance and storytelling to take the audience through the key points of her illustrious life.
Ahead of the show at Emirates International School auditorium, Sheikh Zayed Road, on Saturday 28, Dixit spoke to us about what the audience can expect, the USP of the production and why this was such a challenging – and rewarding – experience.
“Begum Akhtar’s life story is a window into a period of great transition in the musical history of the Indian subcontinent, influenced as it was by the turbulent times in which it was set, spanning both the wars, the Indian freedom struggle and its aftermath. In such times of great upheaval, the insatiable quest of every artist for excellence is further mitigated by a constant struggle to preserve cultural and artistic integrity,” says Dixit.
Working towards greatness
“For Begum Akhtar’s own art, this was encapsulated in one word: Taaseer. It is a fascinating word and has several connotations. As explained to her by one of her early mentors, Ustad Ata Khan Saheb, the word implied ‘soulful singing’. The word can also be used to convey efficacy, or the manifestation of an expression, a sigh. It can be used to convey execution, performance, and even intended consequence.
“And finally, perhaps tellingly, it means the impression left on the mind. And to those who were privileged to experience Begum Akhtar performing live, the indelible impression she left on the minds and indeed souls of the audience is stuff of legend,” he adds.
Jogiraj Sikidar, Founder and Director, Malhaar, belives this was a story that needed to be told. “Though a lot has changed since Begum Aakhtar’s time however we still hear the stories gender inequalities in the professional world. Here is a story of a female artiste who fought against all odds and reached at the top,” he says. Sikidar, who approached Dixit to do a play on her life, is also a producer of this production.
Malhaar Centre For Performing Arts is well-known for its stellar musicians and singers in Dubai. “They will all be on stage, performing live,” says Dixit.
Begum Akhtar
Tough gig
It can’t be easy, pulling threads from an inimitable timeline to construct a narrative that does justice to someone still known as Mallika-e-Ghazal, the Queen of Ghazals. Dixit agrees. He explains: “The script needed to be one that covered both the broad strokes as well as the nuances of her incredible story. Fortunately, I had access via Jogiraj to some very personal stories of her life, as well as tons of research material. Primarily a writer in English, I had the help of my long-term collaborator Sunil Jasuja to translate the dialogues into Hindi/Urdu.
“Then comes the task of fusing the elements of music, dance, and the theatre into a cohesive whole. Malhaar has always challenged my limits and pushed me out of my comfort zone. In the end though, working with some of the most talented musicians, singers, dancers, and actors in the region is any director's dream.”
“The story weaves itself to portray the difference between happiness of limelight and peace of making an impact. ”
Disha Joseph, the lead actor who plays Akhtari Bai Faizabadi, calls herself blessed to be able to play the part of the ingenue Akhtar used to be. “With each rehearsal I’m convinced, this isn’t a performance; it's an immersion into the soul of Begum Akhtar; which we do our best to depict through the acts. This production creates a journey of self-discovery, empathy, and growth, where I continue to learn that the power of storytelling lies not only in the words written into the script but in the emotions felt. Once again with this opportunity to play Begum Akhtar, I'm reminded that the most profound lessons are learned when you walk in another's shoes.”
And Arif Bhaldar, who plays Diwangi, says: “The story of Haaye Aktari weaves itself to portray the difference between happiness of limelight and peace of making an impact. This is the story of her life, in the form the most impactful art, live theatre.”
Haaye Akhtari, a two-hour homage to the music and life of Begum Akhtar, will dance and twirl you through episodes – some well-known, others intimate – that encompassed the singer’s life. “The music lovers of Indian sub-continent know about Begum Akhtar’s timeless music but don’t know much about her personal life’s struggle. Her music was deeply influenced by her life’s setbacks. The audience will not only walk away with her wonderful music. But also, the story of her perseverance that made her the Queen of Ghazals,” says Sikidar.
The details
Tickets to see Haaye Akhtari on October 28 at Emirates International School auditorium are Dh50 and available on Platinumlist.net.