Daily Times

LAHORE: Ajoka Theatre paid tribute to the great freedom fighter of sub-continent, Bhagat Singh, on his 109th birth anniversary by performing the famous play ‘Mera Rang De Basanti Chola’ on Tuesday at Alhamra.

Team Ajoka, in collaboration with the Lahore Arts Council, performed two shows of theatre play, which depicted the life of Bhagat Singh in an enchanting way. Written by Shahid Nadeem and directed by Madeeha Gohar, ‘Mera Rang de Basanti Chola’ highlighted the struggle and sacrifice of brave Bhagat Singh, considered one of the most influential revolutionaries of the Indian independence movement.

Born on September 28, 1907, in a village of Lyallpur district, Singh was from a Sikh family that had earlier been involved in the Ghaddar movement against the British Raj.

As a teenager, Bhagat Singh became an atheist and was attracted to Anarchism and Marxist ideologies. In 1922, he joined the National College, which was set up by the Lala Lajpat Rai at the Bradlaugh Hall, Lahore, for those students who were against studying in British institutions, as part of the non-cooperation movement. Bhagat Singh studied in the college till 1926 and it was during this time that he became involved in the activities of many revolutionary organisations, including Naujawan Bharat Sabha and the Hindustan Socialist Republic Association.

The play brought into light some little known historical facts related to Bhagat Singh’s ideology and his trial, including the fascinating link between Bhagat Singh and ZA Bhutto. The music score of the play included songs sung by revolutionary trio – Bhagat Singh, Sukh Dev and Raj Guru – at the time of their hanging, which were now part of Punjab’s folklore.

In the start of the play, the shrine of Baba Shah Jamal was shown where devotees were dancing when police officials reached there in search of Baba Bhoga. However, the execution of Bhagat was the most acted scene of the play in which Bhagat Singh kissed rope and remained confident with a smile on his face. The act received massive applaud from the viewers.

Later, while addressing the gathering, play director Madeeha Gouhar told the audience that presenting the story of Bhagat was to aware the new generation about the real heroes who fought and lost their lives in the struggle of freedom from the British rule before partition.