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Remembering the revolutionary

DIWAN SINGH BAJELI

“Gatha Bhagat Singh Ki” is a valuable contribution to the growing works on the freedom fighter.



The hero lives on From “Gatha Bhagat Singh Ki”

In September 1928, Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Sukhdev, Rajguru and their comrades from different parts of the country assembled in Ferozeshah Kotla and formed Hindustani Socialist Republic Army (HSRA) to liberate India from British rule and e stablish a socialistic democratic society. This past week, the historic fort vibrated with the slogans of ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ a part of multi-media show entitled “Gatha Bhagat Singh Ki” to commemorate the birth centenary of this great patriot and martyr who had left an indelible mark on the history of India’s Independence movement.

This magnificent presentation was jointly organised by Punjabi Academy, Delhi and Department of Art and Culture, Government of NCT of Delhi in Association with Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Since Bhagat Singh’s life and time are intricately woven into freedom struggle, his life is depicted against the emotionally charged backdrop of history of his time.

It is heartening to know that the heroic saga of Bhagat Singh continues to capture the imagination of people in India. In recent times, we have witnessed several theatrical presentations on his life and message. C.D. Sidhu’s magnum opus in three parts – “Bhagwan Pota, Inquilabi Puttar and Nastik Shaheed” – is a remarkable theatrical tribute to him. There have been about five feature films on Bhagat Singh like “Rang De Basanti”, “Legend of Bhagat Singh”, “Shaheed”, etc. “Gatha Bhagat Singh Ki” is yet another valuable contribution to the growing works on the legend.
Challenging work

The production is directed by Lokendra Trivedi, a member of the faculty of National School of Drama, who has done a number of plays of different genres in the past but this has been the most challenging work for him and he has come out with flying colours. He has conceived seven acting areas for depiction of dramatic action with two raised areas as high as the original structures of the fort. In one of the spots Bhagat Singh’s village and his family are shown, while in another raised area General Dyer of Jallianwala Bagh massacre and Police Superintendent Scott are shown perpetuating the attack on peaceful protestors against Simon Commission led by Lala Lajpat Rai The highest acting space is used to convey the revolutionary message to the audience.

The director has aptly synthesised the elements of light, sound, film clippings, music, dance and theatre to project a coherent production to convey the revolutionary vision of the freedom fighter. More than 100 artistes have acted out the script written by Amrik Gill. Director Trivedi displays his artistry in handling mass scenes charged with intensity, revealing people’s hope, anxiety and grief.

Gill has followed a chronological order with more emphasis on events. In the process, he has less space for elaborating the socio-political philosophy of Bhagat Singh. In one of the most vital sequences where Bhagat Singh is to be led to the gallows, he says, “Wait a minute, one revolutionary is meeting with another revolutionary”, referring to Lenin.

But the script writer did not mention the name of the great proletarian leader. The use of voices of Manoj Kumar, Om Puri, Kulbhushan Kharbanda and others has enhanced the dramatic character of the presentation.

Seven songs, including Ram Prasad Bismal’s immortal songs “Sarfarosi Ki Tamana Ab Hamare Dil Mai Hai” and “Shaheedon Ki Chitaoan Par Lagenge Har Baras Mele”, composed by Mohinder Kumar Babloo, not only heightened the emotional appeal but also harmonised various elements of the production. Trivedi’s creative collaborators Anis Azami, a well-known theatre personality, choreographer Sangita Sharma, light and sound integrator Debashish Karmakar make this production vividly memorable, highlighting the spirit of man, his heroism and his indefatigability to fight against imperialism.