The world of theatre has lost a giant with the passing of Aamir Raza Husain on June 03, 2023. Husain was widely celebrated in India for his impressive outdoor stage productions and his contribution to the growth of theatre in the country cannot be overstated. Born into an aristocratic family in Lucknow, Husain went on to become a theatre director of note and founded the Stagedoor theatre company. A recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2001, Husain made a lasting impact on the Indian theatre scene. In this article, we take a closer look at the life and legacy of a man who will be forever remembered for his contribution to the arts.
1. Who was Aamir Raza Husain?
Indian theatre actor and director Aamir Raza Husain passed away on June 03, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of memorable outdoor stage productions. Born in Lucknow, he was the only child of Mumtaz Husain and Kaniz Mehida, and moved to Delhi at a young age. Husain attended boarding school and went on to study history. He was an accomplished actor and collaborated with directors including Joy Michael and Marcus Murch in college plays. He was also the creative director of Stagedoor, a theatre company that staged over 91 productions and more than 1100 performances. In 2001, he was awarded the National Film Award for Best Screenplay and his plays were staged at outdoor locations. Husain was once a member of the BJP and married actress Viraat Talwar, with whom he had two children. His life and work will be remembered in the Indian theatre and art scene. [1][2]
2. Legacy of Awadhi aristocracy in Lucknow
Lucknow has lost one of its distinguished theatre artists, Aamir Raza Husain, who away on June 3, 2023, at the age of 66. He was known for his exceptional contribution to the theatre industry, particularly for his work in preserving the legacy of Awadhi aristocracy in Lucknow.
The city’s cultural scene was enriched by Husain’s portrayal of the Awadhi culture and history. According to his close associates, his love for the Awadhi heritage was evident in his productions. He strived to capture the essence of the Awadhi era and showcase it to a wider audience.
Husain was the scion of the Husainabad royal family of Lucknow, which had a strong connection to the Awadh culture. He learned about the intricate details of the Awadhi culture from his upbringing and family members, particularly his grandfather. According to him, “The culture of Lucknow runs in our veins.”
The plays staged by Husain were often set in the Nawabi period, with a focus on the Urdu language, music, and dance. He aimed to preserve the Awadhi aristocracy and their way of life. His passion for theatre and the Awadhi culture was evident in his every production.
Lucknow will always remember Aamir Raza Husain for his profound contribution to the theatre industry, particularly for his work in preserving the legacy of Awadhi aristocracy. His passing marks the end of an era.
3. Aamir Raza Husain’s early upbringing
Renowned theatre actor and director Aamir Raza Husain passed away on June 03, 2023, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. The theater world has lost a titan, and the nation is mourning the loss of one of its finest performers.
Husain was born on April 8, 1957, in a conservative Muslim family in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He was the fourth child of his parents, and his father was a lawyer. Speaking about his childhood, he said, “I grew up in a religiously conservative family, and gender roles were strictly defined. However, my family was liberal enough to encourage education and the arts.”
His love for theatre began at a young age, and he would often perform at his school’s annual functions. Speaking about his early influences, he said, “I was greatly inspired by the plays of Shakespeare and Bertolt Brecht. I found their works incredibly powerful and knew I wanted to make a career out of it.”
Husain attended La Martiniere College, Lucknow, and later moved to St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, to pursue his bachelor’s in History. Speaking about his move to Delhi, he said, “It was a culture shock for me. But, I loved the city’s vibrancy and diversity. It gave me a chance to explore different art forms and hone my skills as an actor and director.”
Husain’s early upbringing played a crucial role in shaping him into the artist he became. He was an artist who was never afraid to push boundaries, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of artists.
4. From boarding school to studying history
Aamir Raza Husain, one of the greatest theatre personalities of India, passed away on June 03, 2023, leaving behind a legacy that will never be forgotten. He was born on September 15, 1956, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. From a young age, Aamir showed an interest in theatre, which eventually led him to pursue it as a profession. After completing his boarding school education, he went on to study History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University.
A quote from Aamir Raza Husain himself about his journey into theatre – “I realised that I had to do theatre, and, to begin with, I had to start from the beginning. There was no other way.”
Aamir’s acting career began with college plays, where he collaborated with fellow students and honed his skills. He went on to establish himself in the theatre scene with outdoor stage productions, showcasing his talent as a director as well.
Aamir Raza Husain was also known for his political affiliations, which he was vocal about. He was a staunch supporter of social justice and equality, which was reflected in his work. He was married to actress Viraat Talwar and had two children.
The theatre community mourns the loss of Aamir Raza Husain, but his contributions will continue to inspire generations to come.
5. Acting career and collaborations in college plays
On June 03, 2023, the world lost a renowned theatre actor and director, Aamir Raza Husain. Husain’s career spanned over several decades and was known for his passion for theatre. His acting journey started during his college days, where he collaborated with his classmates to create plays that left a lasting impact on the audience.
Husain’s acting skills and dedication made him stand out in his college plays. Collaborating with his friends, he brought to life the characters that he played. He once said, “Theatre is not just about acting, but about creating a world that the audience can connect to.”
His college plays served as the foundation of his acting career, and later, Husain moved on to outdoor stage productions. He took the opportunity to showcase his skills in outdoor productions and proved that theatre can be enjoyed in open spaces too.
Husain’s passing is a great loss to the theatre community. His contribution to theatre will always be remembered. As his friend and collaborator, Himanshu Kohli, said, “Husain’s dedication and hard work have been the inspiration behind his success in theatre. We will miss him dearly.”
6. Outdoor stage productions
On June 3, 2023, the world lost a legend in Indian theatre – Aamir Raza Husain. Husain was known for his outstanding outdoor stage productions, which have been staged across India, featuring stunning backdrops of monuments and historical sites. His most famous play, The Legend of Ram, was staged outdoors in 2004, with 19 sets spread across 3 acres, 35 characters, and a crew of 100 members. This grand production had its last show before the President of India on May 1, 2004. In 1999, Husain also staged a play along the backdrop of the Taj Mahal. Overall, he produced several plays, which he staged outdoors, showcasing the beauty of India’s heritage. Husain was a true visionary in theatre, and his passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. As he once said, “Theatre is a way of life, so live it.” [11][12]
7. Aamir Raza Husain’s political affiliations
Aamir Raza Husain, a renowned Indian theatre actor and director, passed away on June 03, 2023. In addition to his contributions to the theatre industry, Husain was also politically active. He was associated with the Indian National Congress party and was known for his outspoken opinions on various social and political issues.
Husain actively participated in promoting secularism in the country. He had been a vocal critic of the ruling government’s policies that targeted minority communities. In one of his interviews, he said, “India needs to be a country that is for all Indians, not just for a particular group.”
Apart from his political affiliations, Husain was also known for his involvement in various welfare activities. He supported various NGOs and worked towards empowering marginalized communities in the country.
With Husain’s demise, the theatre world has lost a great artist and India has lost a voice that stood for justice and equality. The void left by him will be difficult to fill. As noted by his colleague, “Aamir Raza Husain will always be remembered as one of the most influential figures in Indian theatre and a fearless voice in Indian politics.”
8. Marriage to actress Viraat Talwar
On June 03, 2023, Aamir Raza Husain, the Indian theatre actor and director, passed away at the age of 66, leaving behind memories of his remarkable life. Aamir was known not just for his passion for theatre but also for his relationship with his wife, actress Viraat Talwar.
Aamir and Viraat had a love story that began in 1987 when Viraat, a student at Lady Shri Ram College, auditioned for his play, and got her first professional role. Six years later, they tied the knot in 1993, starting a relationship that lasted a lifetime. The couple had two children, Kaniz Sukaina and Ghulam Ali Abbas.
Reflecting on his marriage, Aamir once said, “We lived off a legacy”. Viraat was his strength and support, and they worked together on various productions. Their relationship was inspiring and a true example of love and creativity.
However, with Aamir’s passing, Viraat, his children, and his fans are left grieving the loss of one of India’s greatest theatre personalities. Aamir’s love for Viraat will always be remembered, inspiring generations to come. [15][16]
9. Children and family life
Air Raza Husain, the Indian theatre actor and director, who passed away on June 3, 2023, was a family man who cherished his wife and two children, Kaniz Sukaina and Ghulam Ali Abbas. Husain married Viraat Talwar, an actress, in 1993, whom he met during the audition for his play when she was a student at LSR. It was also Talwar’s first professional role, which brought her and Husain closer. They had two children whom Husain loved deeply. In an interview, he once said, “My wife and children are my pillars of strength, and without them, I am nothing.” Husain’s family was devastated by his sudden demise, and his children expressed their grief by saying, “He was the guiding light in our lives, and we will miss him terribly.” Despite his success in theatre, Husain’s family remained his top priority. [17][18]
10. Honours and awards received by Aamir Raza Husain
Aamir Raza Husain, a renowned theatre actor and director from India, passed away on June 03, 2023, leaving his fans and the theatre fraternity in shock. However, his contribution to the world of theatre has been immense and well recognized over the years.
Husain was the recipient of numerous honours and awards during his illustrious career. He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, India’s highest theatre honour, in 2008, for his contribution to Indian theatre. In 2014, he was conferred with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, for his excellence in theatre.
Apart from these prestigious honours, Husain’s theatre productions also received critical acclaim, winning awards at various international theatre festivals. One such production, ‘The Fifty Day War’, won the Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2001.
“He was a theatre legend and an inspiration to many,” said fellow theatre personality, Makarand Deshpande. “His contribution to Indian theatre will always be remembered, and he will be sorely missed,” he added.
As the theatre world mourns the loss of a great artist and visionary, Aamir Raza Husain’s legacy will continue to live on through his exceptional body of work, which has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the world of theatre.
