On a cold Saturday evening, a spectacular performance based on the life of famed filmmaker and fashion designer Muzaffar Ali warmed people’s hearts. Titled Weaver of Dreams — The passion of Muzaffar Ali of Kotwara, the multimedia show came alive against the backdrop of a beautifully lit Qutub Shahi Tomb.
Set on an enormous stage, elements such as dance, music, poetry, garment display and audio-visuals enthralled the crowd, giving them an insight into the life and career of the filmmaker, mentioning, of course, his blockbuster hit Umrao Jaan, and his passion towards clothing, textiles and crafts. Presented by Sathya Saran, an eminent journalist, the hour-long show was accompanied by a well-choreographed display of textiles designed by Joseph Sunder.
One of the guests, Partho Bhattacharyya, who came along with his mother-in-law enjoyed the show and said, “The way everything was woven together, especially the storytelling style which was a dialogue between Muzaffar Ali and his companion at the opposite end of the stage was brilliant. The kathak dancer was mesmerising too.”
At the end, the filmmaker also showed clippings of his documentary series, Daastan-e-Dastakar, that he is currently working on. Interestingly, one of the parts based on Pochampalli ikkat, a tribute to Telangana, was showcased here. Although the seating arrangement and the buzzing of insects irritated the crowd, the problems all faded away once the performance went live, giving the audience an unforgettable experience.
