SAMARANJALI: A TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO LAID THEIR LIVES FOR THE NATION

While the first revolt of 1857 completed 165 years on Tuesday (May 10, 2022), commemorating the revolt of 85 soldiers in Meerut Cantonment, there was one who had parted with his life, while opposing British Raj around a month before this historic milestone.

Mangal Pandey laid his life for the nation in Barrackpore in the Bengal Province. He fired the first bullet targeting English lieutenant BH Boe and was hanged to death on April 8, 1857.

This and many more interesting facts and events were presented in Samaranjali--an engaging play organised at Bharatendu Natya Academy on Tuesday evening, that paid a special tribute to the martyrs of the 1857 revolt and to the freedom fighters who displayed exemplary courage and a spirit to sacrifice their lives for the freedom of the nation.

The event informed the audience of all the hardships and conflicts faced by the martyrs in an attempt to snatch 'freedom' from the hands of the British Raj.

ACS (Homeguard) Anil Kumar was the chief guest on the occasion. The event was conceptualised by Dinesh Khanna, who is the director of Bharatendu Natya Academy.

The play witnessed performances of artists coming from different backgrounds and pooled their talent to impress the audience. The valour of freedom fighters including Mangal Pandey, Rani Lakshmi Bai, Nanaji Peshwa, Maulwi Ahmed Shah and Begum Hazrat Mahal was brought forward before the public through acts, where the public too gave them heartfelt tributes.

A special song Jai Sanatan was also performed by the students of Bharatendu Natya Academy (BNA), enthused the audience until the end of the event.