Latest news with #Sandip
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Stories of India's freedom struggle through Tagore, Premchand and Manto
— Mohammad Asim Siddiqui The glorious chapter of India's freedom struggle has inspired many novelists and short story writers to produce works of great merit in both English and other Indian languages. Important episodes of the freedom movement appear in these novels and stories. Novelists like R.K. Narayan, Mulk Raj Anand, Raja Rao and Khwaja Ahmad Abbas have also conceived characters in terms of Gandhian beliefs and ideals. Rabindranath Tagore's novel Ghare Baire (1916), translated into English as Home and the World, engages creatively with Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's Anandmath (1882). Tagore's novel is critical of the western idea of nationalism, advanced by a character called Sandip. Set against the backdrop of the Swadeshi movement in Bengal, the novel presents a nuanced view of the movement through Nikhilesh's and Sandip's different perspectives. Sandip, shown to be a hypocrite, preaches the idea of Swadeshi to his followers but possesses a shelf of Western medicines. Nikhilesh, on the other hand, has a more balanced view of the Swadeshi movement. Following the spirit of the movement, he writes with a quill and uses home-made furniture, but he also understands the need of poor hawkers and shopkeepers to sell foreign clothes and goods for their living. Premchand's many writings demonstrate his patriotism, his anti-colonial stance, his commitment to communal harmony, and his love of Gandhian philosophy. His first collection of stories in Urdu, Soz-e Watan (1908), published under the pen name 'Nawab Rai', was considered seditious by the British government and banned. His novel Karmabhumi (1932), set in the 1930s, explores the role of the Gandhian philosophy of non-violence in achieving social justice for the poor and the marginalised sections of society. Amarkant, the main character of the novel who represents Gandhi's idea of non-violence and his commitment to social justice, helps the Dalit villagers to fight for their rights and enter temples. Initially unable to understand Amarkant's ideology, his wife, Sukhada, later joins the movement. The novel also shows villagers' protests against unjust land taxes. Premchand's story 'Samar Yatra', written in the context of Gandhiji's Satyagraha and Dandi March, shows the impact of the movement on a village and the enthusiasm of ordinary villagers to welcome the Satyagrahis and their cause. The story also presents an old and ailing woman, Nohari, who welcomes the freedom fighters, overcoming her physical limitations. Premchand also wrote the play Karbala (1924) to bridge the growing differences between Hindus and Muslims. An important feature of this play is the inclusion of many Hindu characters fighting for the Prophet's grandson Hussain in the Battle of Karbala and sacrificing their lives for a righteous cause. In the play, Premchand presents a Hindu village in Saudi Arabia with a temple where Sahas Rai and his brothers perform a havan. Hussain, another character, and his companions praise the Hindu brothers, their religion, their country of origin and their ideals. Raja Rao's famous novel Kanthapura (1938) is as much known for his use of de-anglicised English as for his treatment of many Gandhian ideas in the novel. Set in a remote village in South India, the novel depicts the impact of Gandhi's non-violent struggle against British rule and his fight for social reform, including the eradication of untouchability. The figure of Gandhi in the novel possesses divine powers and is believed to alleviate the suffering of the people. Moorthy, the main character of the novel, is the Gandhi of the village and feels greatly inspired by his ideas and personality after having a vision of him: 'There is but one force in life and that is Truth, and there is but one love in life and that is the love of mankind, and there is but one God in life and that is the God of all.' Jayaramachar, a Harikatha performer in the novel, also talks about Gandhi's spiritual values, his social reforms, and his commitment to communal harmony: 'Fight, says he, but harm no soul. Love all, says he, Hindu, Mohammedan, Christian or Pariah, for all are equal before God. Don't be attached to riches, says he, for riches create passions, and passions create attachment and attachment hides the face of Truth.' Though Kanthapura is imbued with Gandhian ideology, an alternative view of Nehru's socialism can also be felt towards the end of the novel. Among the stories exploring events of the freedom movement, Saadat Hasan Manto's 'Naya Qanoon', '1919 ki ek Baat' and 'Tamasha' stand out as iconic stories. 'Naya Qanoon' indirectly refers to the Government of India Act 1935. It presents an interesting character called Mangu, a coachman who hates Englishmen and is considered very wise and knowledgeable in his circle. The story shows his high expectations of the new law and his hope for a change. However, his expectations are belied as his social and political position remains the same after the new law. 'Tamasha' and '1919 ki ek Baat' were written against the backdrop of the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy. 'Tamasha' is narrated from the point of view of a child and shows the brutal nature of a king, who symbolises British rule in the story. '1919 ke ek Baat', which was written in 1951, shows how Thaila, a person of seemingly questionable character and conduct, sacrifices his life for the country and achieves heroism in his death. Exposing the bloodthirsty nature of the British power, the story presents Gen. Dyer as the villain and Gandhi as a virtuous figure. Critic Alok Bhalla observes that for Manto, '1919 signifies the loss of the legitimacy of British rule'. Khwaja Ahmad Abbas's Inquilab (1955), promoted as the first great novel of the Indian revolution in its 1958 edition, portrays an important phase of India's fight against British colonialism. Also published in Urdu (1975), it depicts the landmark events such as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Bardoli Satyagraha in Gujarat, Dandi March and Civil- Disobedience movement, Gandhi-Irwin Pact, Round Table Conference. The novel also presents major leaders and freedom fighters like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Ali Brothers, Motilal and Jawaharlal Nehru and Bhagat Singh. Spanning the life of its main the protagonist Anwar from the age of eight to adulthood, the novel shows how his personality is shaped by the political events and the spirit of the freedom struggle. A major part of Attia Hosain's Sunlight on a Broken Column (1961), set in Lucknow of the 1930s, shows the interpersonal relationships of characters unfolding in an India witnessing major political transformation. Narrated by Laila, an educated girl from a taluqdar family, most of the characters in the novel also belong to an aristocratic set-up who gradually discover their political leanings. With the change in the political climate, the warm conversation of characters has been replaced by acrimonious discussions. Among Laila's group of friends, Nita is a loyalist, Nadira is closer to the Muslim League's ideology, Joan, an Anglo-Indian, has divided loyalties, and Romana, given to fashion and idle talk, is not interested in any political ideology. The novel depicts a demonstration of students chanting the slogans 'Inquilab Zindabad', 'British Raj Murdabad' and 'Azadi ki Jai'. Laila's cousin Asad, a nationalist and a believer in Gandhi's non-violence, participates in this demonstration and is injured by police's lathis. A contrast in attitudes towards the freedom struggle emerges when Laila calls the students' march a movement, while her uncle Hamid, a taluqdar of Awadh and a British loyalist, dismisses it as 'a demonstration of irresponsible hooliganism'. The last part of the novel also presents the division within families after Partition. Laila's cousin Kemal, who is committed to nationalist ideology, chooses to remain in India after Partition. His younger brother Saleem, given to propounding all kinds of grand theories, moves to Pakistan. Asad's younger brother Zahid, a Muslim League sympathiser, is killed during the Partition violence. An ironic view of the leaders of the freedom movement is presented by Shashi Tharoor in The Great Indian Novel (1989). In the novel, he transposes the story of the Mahabharata into the twentieth century and visualizes many well-known political figures as characters of the epic. In his creative retelling, Bhishma is recast as Mahatma Gandhi, Dhritarashtra as Jawaharlal Nehru, Pandu as Subhas Chandra Bose, Gandhari as Kamala Nehru, Vidura as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dronacharya as Jayaprakash Narayan. In what ways Munshi Premchand's writings demonstrate his patriotism, his anti-colonial stance, his commitment to communal harmony, and his love of Gandhian philosophy? Illustrate your answer with examples. How Raja Rao in his famous novel Kanthapura depicts the impact of Gandhi's non-violent struggle against British rule and his fight for social reform, including the eradication of untouchability. How does Saadat Hasan Manto's Naya Qanoon critique the promises and failures of colonial legal reforms? Do you think literature offers not just a kaleidoscopic portrait of India's freedom struggle, but also a critical insight into it? Support your answer with examples. (Mohammad Asim Siddiqui is a Professor in the Department of English at Aligarh Muslim University.) Share your thoughts and ideas on UPSC Special articles with Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
Hans India
22-07-2025
- Hans India
Two hockey coaches detained for raping student
Jajpur: Jajpur Town police on Monday detained four persons, including two hockey coaches, for allegedly gang raping a minor student in Jajpur. Though the incident occurred on July 3 evening, it came to light after the victim filed a complaint with the police naming three persons in her complaint on Monday. According to the complaint, she has been undergoing training at Jajpur Hockey stadium in the district headquarters town for the past two years. On July 3 evening, while the minor girl was on her way home, her coach Sarthak and his associates Sandip and Sagar allegedly abducted her, took her to a lodge and sexually assaulted perpetrators of the crime had allegedly threatened to murder the survivor if she revealed the incident to anyone, the complaint alleged. Based on the complaint, police have registered a case under sections 70(2), 351(2), 74, 3(5) of BNS and Section 6 of the POCSO Act. Police have picked up four persons and detained them. They are being interrogated. The survivor's statement has been recorded before the district court, and legal proceedings are underway. Jajpur SP Yashpratap Shrimal said four persons have been detained in connection with the incident and further investigation is underway.
NDTV
21-07-2025
- NDTV
Kidnapped From Road, Girl Gang-Raped By Hockey Coach, 2 Others In Odisha
New Delhi: A girl was allegedly gang-raped by her hockey coach and two of his associates earlier this month in Odisha's Jajpur district. She was raped on July 3. However, the matter came to the fore after she filed a complaint with the police. On June 3, her coach, Sarthak, and his associates, Sandip and Sagar, allegedly kidnapped the girl from a road, took her to a lodge and sexually assaulted her. The men also allegedly threatened to kill her if she revealed the incident to anyone. The survivor has been training at the hockey stadium for the past two years. All the accused have been detained. As per the First Information Report or FIR, Sarthak, Sandip and Sagar have been charged under sections 70(2), 351(2), 74, 3(5) of BNS and section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The survivor's statement has been recorded before the district court, and legal proceedings are underway. The incident has sparked outrage across the district, especially among sports and child rights communities, who have demanded strict action against the accused. The case has raised serious concerns about safety protocols in sports training centres, particularly those involving minors.
NDTV
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Dharavi To Bollywood: Journey Of Jameel Shah, India's Dance Shoemaker
In the heart of Mumbai's sprawling slum, Dharavi, in its narrow but resilient alleys, one man is stitching dreams into leather. The story of Jameel Shah is nothing short of extraordinary. A humble shoemaker with the soul of a dancer, Jameel has quietly defined the world of dance footwear in India. Crafting shoes in a 10x10 workshop in Dharavi, he has become the trusted 'shoe artisan' for Bollywood's biggest stars. His journey is a testament to grit, grace, and the untapped potential of Dharavi. A Dreamer from Darbhanga, Bihar Jameel's story begins in Doghra, a small village in Darbhanga, Bihar. The son of a farmer, he was a bright student with a hunger for education. But poverty had other plans. At just 13, Jameel left home and moved to Delhi, working in a factory that made belts and wallets. It was a hard life, but one day, a glimpse of celebrity hoardings sparked a dream - to somehow be a part of Bollywood. That dream led him to Mumbai, where he found work in Dharavi's leather workshops. Living here, amidst the scent of tanned hides and the clatter of tools, Jameel's destiny began to take shape. The 'Dancer' Meets a Mentor While working in Dharavi, Jameel stumbled upon a newspaper ad for dance classes. He approached renowned choreographer Sandip Soparrkar with a simple plea: "I don't have money, but I truly want to learn to dance." Moved by his sincerity, Sandip welcomed him into his academy as a guest student, charging no fees. Jameel trained diligently, but soon faced another hurdle - the cost of proper dance shoes. Imported shoes cost upwards of Rs 8,000, far beyond his reach. That's when Sandip handed him a pair worth Rs 15,000 and said, "Try to replicate this." Jameel dissected the shoe like a scientist, studying every stitch and layer, finally creating his first pair of dance shoes. 'Jameel Shoes' - Made in Dharavi What began as an experiment soon became a movement. Jameel's shoes were not just affordable - they were of exceptional quality as well. He understood a dancer's body, the pressure points, the need for flexibility and durability. His shoes became an extension of the dancer's artistic and physical needs. Terence Lewis, one of India's most celebrated choreographers, swears by Jameel's craftsmanship. "He's not just a shoemaker," Terence says. "He's connected to the arts. He understands what dancers feel." From character heels to flamenco, tap, and jazz shoes - Jameel was the first to offer such variety in India. Dharavi, often seen through the lens of poverty, is also a cradle of creativity. Despite his growing fame, Jameel never left Dharavi. His tiny workshop, tucked into one of Asia's largest slums, is where the magic happens. "I want to stay here until my last breath," he says. "My only wish is to be allotted a space in Dharavi itself after it is redeveloped. I wouldn't want to work anywhere else." This sentiment is powerful. Dharavi, often seen through the lens of poverty, is also a cradle of creativity. Jameel's success is proof that talent thrives here - it just needs nurturing. Bollywood's Best Trust Jameel Today, Jameel's clientele is a who's who of Bollywood. He told NDTV that Priyanka Chopra once hugged him and said, "Jameel, how do you manage to make such comfortable shoes? I've been searching for this kind of comfort for years." He's crafted shoes for Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, Ameesha Patel, Manisha Koirala, Farah Khan, and many more. His phone holds the numbers of stars like Madhuri Dixit and Priyanka Chopra - not as a fan, but as a trusted craftsman. "Celebrities trust me to take care of their feet," he says with quiet pride. "And I take pride in knowing they love dancing in the shoes I create." The Dharavi Dream Jameel's story is not just about his personal achievement. It's a call to action. Dharavi, with its vibrant leather industry and skilled artisans, holds immense potential. If given better infrastructure, education, and opportunities, it could become a bigger hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Imagine a Dharavi where more youngsters like Jameel can chase their dreams - not just survive, but thrive. Where talent isn't lost to circumstance, but lifted by community and vision. Jameel Shah's shoes carry not just dancers, but dreams. As Bollywood's finest continue to dance in his creations, Jameel remains grounded, grateful, and deeply connected to Dharavi, the place that made him. "Money comes and goes," he says. "But reputation, trust, and love - that's what lasts." (Divya Talwar is a video creator and writer with over 20 years of experience in creative storytelling. She has produced content across TV and digital platforms that inspires, and resonates.)
News18
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Housefull 5 Director Tarun On Laal Pari Plagiarism Claim: ‘No Intention To Steal'
Last Updated: Director Tarun Mansukhani says had he known Sandip Brahamin is the creator of the hat step in Housefull 5's Laal Pari, he would've brought him in to choreograph the song. Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh starrer Housefull 5 maybe causing ripples at the box office but it's courting a controversy on grounds of plagiarism. A digital content creator and dancer named Sandip Brahamin has accused the makers of copying his 'signature hat move' in the song video of Laal Pari. In a reel, Sandip stated, 'I went to Instagram and YouTube and there is a movie called Housefull 5. It has a song called Laal Pari. They have copied my moves but they haven't mentioned my name, they haven't credited me (sic)." Reacting to his statements, Housefull 5 director Tarun Mansukhani exclusively tells News18 Showsha, 'I did read up something about that. To be honest, I hadn't seen his videos before. I had only gotten to know it after we had launched the song. I came to know that the step that we've in the song is the hook step that he's known for. I'm sure somebody must have seen it at some point somewhere and felt that it's a great step to do and we did it." For the unversed, Remo D'Souza has choreographed Laal Pari. Tarun says that had he known about Sandip, he would've brought him in to choreograph Akshay, Abhishek, Riteish, Nargis Fakhri, Jacqueline Fernandez and Sonam Bajwa. 'There was no intention to harm anyone or steal anything. Life isn't that conniving. If I had known this guy before, I would've brought him in to choreograph the song for my actors. Who would be a better choreographer of Laal Pari than the creator himself? It's as simple as that," he remarks. 'There was no intention to engage in any kind of plagiarism. It's just one of those things that ended up happening. We've very sorry if he feels like that. I want to reiterate that there was no intention of causing any harm of any form," he further adds. While Sandip had posted his reel on May 3, his video went viral on social media after Housefull 5 released in theatres on June 5. Meanwhile, Housefull 5 has entered the Rs 100 crore club, and its golden run continues. Talking about it, an excited Tarun tells us, 'It feels fantastic because I came back to the theatres after 17 years. My last theatrical film was in 2008 [Dostana]. Right now, we're at a Rs 178 crore gross worldwide." He admits that this feat feels even more 'special' especially since it comes at a time when the box office is going through a dry spell. 'I've sat and worked on this film for the last two years and now it has been accepted. More than being happy, we're grateful. We're thankful to someone who's watching from above. There's a certain amount of relief that it's done, it's out there and it's being appreciated. We're thrilled with the positive comments that people who've enjoyed the film have written for us, for the messages, for the calls and for the numbers the film is making," Tarun shares. First Published: June 12, 2025, 04:24 IST
