Today we’d like to introduce you to Hamid Daudani.
Hi Hamid, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
HAMID DAUDANI is a well-known artist on the San Diego scene. Even though he is a financial officer by profession, his love for the arts and his devotion to artistic activities is exemplary.
Since his childhood he has been attached to radio broadcasting and stage. At the age of eleven, he participated in broadcasts from All India Radio, Indore, India. Later when he moved to Pakistan, he became a regular artist at Radio Pakistan for their East and South East African Services. He was involved in writing, producing and acting in plays as well as participating in other broadcasts.
Hamid’s stage experience is significant. Right from his school days he has been active on stage. He is a playwright and has written, produced and directed a number of plays.
In 1991 he established “Hamid Daudani & Group” with a goal of producing plays for the San Diego subcontinent population. This group has become a community institution and his plays have become an annual tradition. His plays receive wide coverage in newspapers and get high marks for excellence. This is the only group in Southern California that consistently produces plays year after year. His plays have earned tremendous appreciation from its audiences.
Hamid has acted in a film “American Addiction” produced locally by Indo-American Films. He received very high reviews for his character.
Hamid is also involved in cultural activities. He is the past president of Gujarati Association of San Diego. He is on the board of San Diego Indian American Society where he has produced their annual Diwali event “Festival of Lights”, for over 15 years, in Balboa Park San Diego. This festival attracts thousands of people every year.
Hamid has been recognized and has received multiple awards. He has received awards from the Mayor of San Diego, twice, for his services to the community for over 20 years. NetIP organization has honored him and given him an award for the “Leadership in Cultural Awareness”. Federation of India Association, San Diego has recognized him for his vision, leadership and expertise in the creative field. Pakistani Community of San Diego has presented him the Community Heritage Award for promoting Urdu language.
In 2018 Hamid received The President of the United States of America Volunteer Service Award by the Corporation of National & Community Service.
To his credit, he has been the Master of Ceremony in a number of shows featuring famous artists like Jagjit Singh, Anup Jhalota, Pankaj Udhas, Sudhir Narayan, Yusuf Azad, etc.
In 2019 Hamid, jointly with a few community volunteers, established the “Last Journey Foundation of Greater San Diego” to help and support the grieving families at the time of death of their loved ones. The grieving family is not aware of how to handle cremation and other rituals.
Hamid has a keen sense of direction, is innovative and is a perfectionist.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Reaching a destination with an aim to be the best is not easy. It requires total commitment, hard work and dedication to reach this goal.
On profession side, I had to prove my worth as I came from a third world country. Once they saw my calibre, the admiration and respect followed.
On the artistic side, I had to be more than ordinary. And that was not difficult. My vision and talent helped me to excell.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As the curtain comes down on Hamid Daudani and Group’s annual productions to a full house in San Diego, Daudani comes on the stage and thanks the audience. “With this tonight’s presentation, we have successfully reached another milestone” Daudani beams. “The cast and crew thank you for your support and hope that we made you escape into a different world for a short while.” He acknowledges every person who had helped with the production detailing each person’s effort and talent- the pride is evident in his enthusiastic tone. Now that the show is over, the lobby of the elegant Performing Arts Center buzzes with people. Audience members wait for the artists to come out so they can congratulate them for yet another outstanding performance. Dressed in colorful saris, shalwar khameez, even in t-shirts and blue jeans the audience represents the diversity and rich cultural heritage of this American city. People of all ethnicity come together to share an evening of cultural enrichment and entertainment. As Hamid enters the lobby, people embrace him with warmth and affection. Here is a man who engenders harmony and goodwill in his community through the medium of art.
A coming together of many communities: this is a major objective for Hamid Daudani & Group. Hamid has applied his creative genius to bringing unique themes and varied productions each year to his audiences. In San Diego’s South Asian community his name has become synonymous with good theater in which traditions and cultures are kept alive. His plays depict characters from diverse religious backgrounds showing respect and affection for each other’s cultures and traditions. His productions showcase the rich heritage of the Indian subcontinent embracing the literature, mythology, poetry, music, dance and costumes of its different regions.
It was a Saturday morning, weeks later, and I had been trying to pin down Hamid to chat for just a few minutes. Easier said than done!
Hamid Daudani has over 40 years of financial, management and administration experience with companies involved in a variety of business activities ranging from manufacturing and distribution as well as wholesale and retail of consumer and industrial products. He has served as Vice President and CFO of various companies both in the United States and Canada yet the person I met was a humble and bubbly gentleman with a disarming smile.
He gave me a quick history lesson of his theater group.
Hamid saw the immense potential available among the local talent in San Diego and started with his maiden venture with the play “Prem Nagar Ka Mela” in 1991 which he wrote, produced and directed. It was a great hit on its debut performance and received rave reviews. It started the trend and gave him courage to write and produce his own plays.
“We don’t import plays from India. We start from scratch, auditioning actors, training them, rehearsing and fully putting up the show,” Daudani explains.” Our actors do not get paid, but they put their heart and soul into it and never compromise on quality.”
“We try to put up one play per year. It is not an easy task,” says Daudani. He prods his artists along with his famous line, “let’s break a leg.” Since his childhood he has been attached to radio broadcasting and stage. This experience gave him an inside knowledge of the needs of the community.
Having lived in India and Pakistan, Hamid is very aware of the historical friction and tensions amongst the various South Asian religious and cultural groups. “We are all human beings. Why can’t we live in peace and harmony? Why should we fight in the name of religion? Faith after all is a personal thing. Isn’t it?” he asks.
He has a very philosophical attitude towards life and the success of the group. “We have two wonderful things in our favor- one is that our plays are not restricted to one ethnic community and the second is that we get dedicated people working with us year after year with no ego clashes involved.”
Talking about the production and bringing a new play and new cast every year is a big challenge for Daudani but he loves it. He is very passionate about theater. Not only he writes, produces and directs his own plays but occasionally even acts in them. Each production takes approximately four months to complete. As many as 85 people have participated in one play. He provides a platform for people of all ages to display their talent and build self confidence. He is innovative and a perfectionist. “I believe in attaining perfection within available means,” he says with total conviction. “‘Do it right or don’t do it at all’ is my motto because it takes almost as much time and effort to do it wrong.”
As a producer and director, Hamid is known to be a taskmaster. Quality productions, beautiful venues, timely presentations, and attention to minute details have become trademarks for this Group. In San Diego his plays have become an institution and tradition as well as a gala event.
“Our group’s intention is not to make money. Our shows usually break even. The purpose of producing these plays is to explore creative talents and encourage people of all ages to participate. The idea is to bring the community together and keep our culture alive.”
He said, “The cast is completely local and we have a lot of fun with each production. One thing we are particular about is discipline. Everyone has to have a commitment and stick to it.” Hamid beamed “Working together, we become like one family and learn from each other. It always is quite a unique experience”.
His theater group has never had any issues. “Our team works well since each person takes ownership of each segment. There are no arguments when they work together and everyone is very respectful and helpful to each other”. Hamid has a refreshing perspective on things. “If one puts away the ego, there can be no issues” Most people have been with this group for many years.
Hamid Daudani and Group is an entirely volunteer organization. Compensation and rewards come from the blessings and good wishes of the community A woman tells him that her daughter learned confidence from performing on stage in his play. Another one tells him that her child has become interested in learning Hindi/Urdu so that he can act on the stage. How do you measure the many different lives that have been touched by Daudani’s productions? Two stage artists found love for each other and today they are happily married. A young lady was bold enough to enter “Miss India – San Diego” contest and won the title! Some artists have advanced their hobby and have acted in films produced by local Indo-American movie makers and by the Bollywood productions. A few dance artists learned the art and have became dance choreographers.
Born in India, Hamid resided in Pakistan and Canada, and now lives in the U.S.A. with his wife Rukhsana. He has two children. His daughter Anita is a special-ed teacher and his son Rayhan is a Vice President of the world’s largest public relations company. Professionally, Hamid himself is a financial executive.
Hamid is also involved in cultural activities. He is the past president of Gujarati Association of San Diego. He is currently on the board of San Diego Indian American Society.
To his credit, he has been the Master of Ceremony in a number of shows featuring famous artists like Jagjit Singh, Anup Jhalota, Pankaj Udhas, Sudhir Narayan, Yusuf Azad, etc.
Hamid has acted in a film “American Addiction” produced by Indo-American Films. He received very high reviews for his role.
He produces a large-scale annual Diwali event in San Diego the “Festival of Lights” for the San Diego Indian American Society. The highlights of the festival include lighting 1008 lamps sponsored by various people, cultural dances, a bunch of cultural stations from the various states of India and a mythological/cultural skit written and directed by local artistes. Some 8,000 people usually attend this event annually.
Daudani, in the true spirit of pluralism, continues to reach out to the diverse communities of San Diego, by successfully engaging them in poignant, multi- cultural stage productions for over 30 years. Every year, as the curtain falls Hamid addresses the audience with “Adaab arz hai”( I greet you with respect). He acknowledges the many volunteers who have contributed their time and talent in auditioning, rehearsing, training and staging the performance. He salutes the audience in his traditional all-embracing farewell: “Ab ijaazat dijiye. Insha Allah fir mulaqaat hogi. Yahin kahin, isi kisi mod par. Tab tak ke liye. Shab-ba-khair, Shubh ratri. (Please permit us to leave. God willing, we will meet again as our path will cross, here, there or somewhere. Until then, good night).
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I read books and enjoy them. There is always something you learn from them. And that helps.
My favorite author is James Michener.
Contact Info:
- Website: daudanigroup.com
- Youtube: Hamid Daudani & Group
