Latest news with #AshfaqullahKhan
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Play showcases emotional journey of freedom fighters
1 2 Lucknow: A powerful theatrical production showcasing the courage and sacrifices of India's freedom fighters left the audience deeply touched at the UP Sangeet Natak Akademi on Thursday. The play, titled "Bade Aa Se Aazadi," showcased the emotional journey of freedom fighters and was prepared during a month-long theatre workshop organised by Sangeet Natak Akademi and Dastak Manch. Written by Sangeeta Jaiswal and Deepak Kabir and directed by Shubham Tiwari, the show began with scenes of freedom fighters protesting for the nation and facing cruelty from the British. The play also depicted the differences in society, highlighting how some wealthy people stayed away from the country's issues, while the poor suffered the most under British rule. The main highlight of the play was the dramatic scene of the Kakori Train Action that took place on August 9, 1925. In this historic event, revolutionaries like Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, and others looted a British govt train carrying money to fund the freedom struggle. After the incident, many revolutionaries were arrested across India. A long trial, known as the Kakori conspiracy case, followed and lasted about one and a half years. In the end, Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Rajendra Lahiri, and Roshan Singh were sentenced to death, while others received long prison terms or life imprisonment (kala pani). The play reached an emotional high point when Ashfaqullah Khan delivered a strong message asking people to stay united for the fight for freedom. Ashish Yadav played Ram Prasad Bismil with great energy, while Mohammad Talib acted as Ashfaqullah Khan. Rahul Sachan appeared as Chandrashekhar Azad, and Karan Singh played Thakur Roshan Singh. Satish Tamanna performed several roles, including Justice Archibald Hamilton. Female revolutionaries were played by Gargi Gautam, Kanchan Tiwari, Mihika Srivastava, Deepa Pandey, and many others who contributed as freedom fighters, police officers, narrators, and backstage helpers.
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ashfaq, Bismil's legend of poetry, patriotism retold
Lucknow: Legend of courage and patriotism of freedom fighters Ashfaqullah Khan and Ramprasad Bismil were narrated in 'Dastan e Ashfaq', organised by Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) on the centenary celebration of the Kakori Train Action, at the Kaifi Azmi auditorium on Sunday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The event was inaugurated by actor and drama veteran Anil Rastogi and critic Virendra Yadav. Storytellers Shahzad Rizvi and Farzana Mehdi narrated the stories. The duo shed light on friendship of Ashfaqullah Khan and Ram Prasad Bismil and said, "Not only poetry, it was also their love for socialism that brought them close." Farzana said, "Ashfaqullah Khan was a Muslim Pathan from Shahjahanpur and was a brave, intellectual, courageous and large-hearted human being with a robust physique." Shahzad said, "Ashfaq's passion since birth was reading poetry, but his temperament was 'inquilabi' (revolutionary)." Describing Bismil, Shahzad said, "Bismil was a vigorous, learned and handsome man and his name was given by his mother after Lord Ram, as she wanted to have a son like him." The incident of Maulvi Ahmadullah, the youth of Shahjahanpur, the Mainpuri case and cross-examination of Ashfaqullah's lawyer Hajela were also narrated. Throwing light on the Kakori Train Action, Farzana said, "The Kakori incident was not just about saving govt's treasury but also about shocking the cruel British giving out the message that Indians will not be subdued by their atrocities." At the end, the audience was in tears when the climax described the episode of the hanging of the revolutionaries. The script of the narration was written by Sachin.
