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Reachout's Newsmaker
Lubaina Tyebji
Has to her credit a gripping documentary on the Nizam of Hyderabad
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It is to Lubaina Tyebji's credit that her documentary on the Nizam of Hyderabad, 1948-A story of Hyderabad', did not end up like the Films Division's drab offerings. A few old Hyderabadis who were witness to the confusion when the Nizam decided to merge with India became emotional as they relived the experience through her film. Some of them even cried unashamedly, and through their tears they smiled at the journalist-turned director acknowledging her effort.
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Was the Nizam of
Hyderabad cornered or did he strike a deal? To this day, Indians have
no clue to why Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, who remained the head of a
separate state for 13 months after India's Independence, decided to
merge with the Union in 1948. Now, for the first time, the monarch's
attempt to hold on to power is portrayed in 1948 -- A Story of
Hyderabad, an hour-long documentary by Lubaina Tyebji.
Tyebji, a US-trained TV reporter, captures the sunset on the Asaf Jahi
rule in a gripping historical narrative through the accounts of
eyewitnesses, freedom fighters and the grandchildren of the Nizam,
besides archival material including footage from 16 mm family movies.
What makes the Rs 4 lakh film -- Tyebji's first -- unique is the
original recordings of music and prayers, press reports of violence
during and after the government's police action and rare photographs.
However, the film ignores the plight of the people in villages and the
circumstances leading to the revolt against the Nizam. It fails to
address the crucial question: what made the Nizam change his mind? But
that's not surprising. There are few witnesses alive, alert or willing
to recall what happened before the Nizam finally bowed out of power.
-(As mailed to us by a
visitor of ReachoutHyderabad.com)
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