Staged under the joint aegis of UPSNA and Dastak at Sant Gadge Auditorium, Lucknow
Lucknow: A moving theatrical performance of the play “Bade A Se Azaadi” was staged at the Sant Gadge Maharaj Auditorium in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow. Presented under the joint collaboration of Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi (UPSNA) and Dastak, the play was directed and conceived by Shubham Tiwari and was the culmination of a focused performance-based theatre workshop.
The event witnessed the presence of distinguished guests including IAS Ranveer Prasad, Principal Secretary of the Department of Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Protection, and Legal Metrology, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and IAS Ranjan Kumar, Principal Secretary of AYUSH and Drug Administration Department. They were welcomed with floral bouquets, saplings, and ceremonial shawls by UPSNA Chairman Prof. Jayant Khot, Vice-Chairperson Vibha Singh, and Director Dr. Shobhit Kumar Nahar.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest appreciated the Akademi’s initiative in spreading the reach of theatre arts across remote regions of the state. Prof. Khot shared insights about the vast spectrum of theatre and cultural activities currently being conducted across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
More than just entertainment, “Bade A Se Azaadi” aimed to rekindle the spirit of patriotism and remind audiences of the monumental sacrifices that made India’s independence possible. The play emphasized that while death is inevitable, those who sacrifice their lives for the nation achieve immortality.
The drama revolved around the Kakori Conspiracy of 1925, a revolutionary act led by members of the Hindustan Republican Association, where revolutionaries robbed a British government train carrying funds. The play portrayed the bravery and sacrifice of heroes like Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqullah Khan, transcending religious boundaries in the fight for freedom. The production not only recreated a defining moment in India’s freedom struggle but also reignited the fire of nationalism among viewers.
Key Cast Performances:
- Mohammad Aqeel Khan as the CID officer
- Akhilesh as Mukundilal
- Kishan Kumar Verma as Rajendra Nath Lahiri
- Kamlesh Kumar Gaurav as Suresh Chandra Bhattacharya
- Taha as Policeman
- Rahul Sachan as Chandrashekhar Azad
- Ashish Yadav as Ram Prasad Bismil
- Mohammad Talib as Ashfaqullah Khan
- Krishna Tiwari as Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi
- Satendra Kumar as Bhagat Singh
Several actors, including Roli Singh, Anju Upreti, Archana, Anamika Singh, and Alpan, played the narrators, while Mihika Srivastava, Gargi Gautam, Kanchan Tiwari, and others performed as women revolutionaries, earning praise from the audience.
Distinguished guests such as veteran theatre artist Dr. Anil Rastogi and Postmaster General Colonel Vinod also graced the occasion. The event was anchored by Jaya Srivastava.
Following the performance, certificates were distributed to participants of various training modules including photography, anchoring, theatre, Kathak dance, semi-classical singing, tabla playing, and folk music. A group photo session was also held to mark the occasion.
Additionally, a photography exhibition curated by participants of the photography workshop was inaugurated in the campus premises.
The event was made successful with active support from:
- IAS Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Principal Secretary, Culture and Tourism, U.P.
- IAS Vishal Singh, Director, Culture Directorate
- IAS Sanjay Kumar Singh, Special Secretary, Department of Culture
- Veena Rana, Secretary of Dastak
This powerful production once again demonstrated how theatre can be a vibrant and effective medium for social awareness, cultural revival, and national pride.
