Salar Jung III: The Man Who Collected the World – a Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation play written by FM Saleem and directed by Md Ali Baig was staged to packed audience at Salar Jung Museum and will be restaged on June 28
As part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Salar Jung Museum, Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation staged its acclaimed production, Salar Jung III: The Man Who Collected the World, at the Museum Auditorium to a packed house. The overwhelming response saw audience members standing in the aisles to witness Padma Shri Mohammad Ali Baig’s portrayal of the legendary collector and statesman.
The production continues the Foundation’s celebrated legacy of Heritage Theatre, bringing iconic personalities from the Deccan’s history to contemporary audiences through immersive theatrical experiences.
Conceptualised and directed by Padma Shri Mohammad Ali Baig and written by F. M. Saleem, the play transports audiences to early twentieth-century Hyderabad. It chronicles the life of Salar Jung III, a young nobleman whose extraordinary passion for art, beauty and preservation led him to assemble one of the world’s most remarkable collections while balancing the demands of administration and public life.
A distinctive aspect of the production is its authenticity. The costumes, dastaars and jewellery featured on stage are original heirlooms and specially designed pieces, lending the performance an added sense of historical realism and grandeur.
The production also incorporated live renditions of the poetry of Safi Aurangabadi and Asad Bhopali, creating a rich blend of theatre, music and literature that captivated the audience. The evocative musical segments enhanced the emotional and cultural landscape of the narrative.
Madhu Swaminath, appearing as the novelist-narrator, and Vijay Kumar as Askar Ali delivered notable performances that complemented Mohammad Ali Baig’s commanding presence in the title role. Live singing by Preethi Yagnamurthy added depth and atmosphere, while the original jewellery designed by Eshita Kaur contributed to the visual richness of the production.
The carefully designed heritage sets and nuanced lighting recreated the ambience of the devdi where Salar Jung III lived, complete with artistic references to the priceless antiques and artefacts he collected from across the world. The stage design successfully evoked the elegance and cultural sophistication associated with the legendary collector.
The performance served as a fitting tribute during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the museum, bringing alive the vision, passion and legacy of Salar Jung III for contemporary audiences while reaffirming the enduring appeal of Hyderabad’s cultural and historical heritage.
Following the tremendous response to the inaugural performance, Salar Jung III: The Man Who Collected the World will be restaged at the Salar Jung Museum Auditorium on June 28, offering audiences another opportunity to experience this acclaimed heritage production and revisit the extraordinary life and legacy of the man who devoted his life to collecting the world’s artistic treasures.
