Prayagraj: When Ramprasad Bismil challenged the British rule on stage, Ashfaqulla Khan exemplified friendship and patriotism, and Chandrashekhar Azad reiterated his pledge for independence, the entire auditorium erupted in applause. Passionate songs like “We will smile and kiss the noose of the gallows…” and powerful dialogues transported the audience to the era of the freedom struggle, when sacrificing one’s life for the country was considered the greatest honor.
‘Kakori Action’ was staged effectively in the auditorium of the centre on Thursday under the joint aegis of North Central Zone Cultural Centre, Prayagraj (Ministry of Culture, Government of India), Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi and Bharatendu Natya Akademi.
The programme was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by the chief guest Prof. Satyakam, Vice Chancellor, Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Dr. Devendra Kumar Tripathi, Regional Secretary, Lalit Kala Academy, Lucknow, Dr. Rati Shankar Tripathi, President, Bhartendu Natya Academy, Kamalkant Pandey, State Head, Saksham, Prayagraj, Centre Director Sudesh Sharma and Deputy Director Dr. Mukesh Upadhyay and Programme Advisor Kalpana Sahay and Milkiyat Singh Bajawa.
Written by Sushil Kumar Singh and directed by Dr. Sumit Srivastava, the play is dedicated to the centenary of the Kakori incident. The play begins with a theatre group from Shahjahanpur traveling to Lucknow to perform on the occasion of the Kakori centenary. On the way, their bus breaks down near Kakori Station, the historic site where a hundred years ago, revolutionaries plundered the British treasury, shaking the foundations of British rule. The play unfolds with patriotic songs and impressive scenes, captivating the audience.
In the theatrical presentation, the artists presented in a poignant manner the struggle, courage and sacrifice of immortal revolutionaries like Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaq Ullah Khan, Rajendranath Lahiri, Manmathnath Gupta and Sachindranath Bakshi.
Every scene erupted in applause: Every scene of the play successfully captivated the audience. Patriotic songs, powerful dialogue, and powerful staging created an atmosphere that resonated with the entire auditorium, echoing with slogans of “Bharat Mata ki Jai.” The final scene’s emotional portrayal of the sacrifices of the immortal martyrs moved the audience.
The cast left a lasting impression: Anil Chaudhary as Chandrashekhar Azad, Ashutosh Jaiswal as Ramprasad Bismil, Ardhya Samant as Ashfaqulla Khan, Tushar Niraula as Sachindranath Bakshi, Rajarshi Rai Chaudhary as Rajendranath Lahiri, and Vikas Dubey as Roshan Singh delivered impressive performances. All the actors, with their vivid portrayals of historical characters, earned the audience’s praise.
Dr. Anjana Puri composed the music for the play. Himanshu B. Joshi designed the lighting and publicity, Sneha Kumar designed the costumes, Gunjan Shukla designed the scenery, and Chanambam Kunjeshwar Singh arranged the stage props.
