Dr. Sudhir Azad’s writings are revolution-praise and revolution-writing. He is constantly worshiping and writing about the martyrs with all his heart and soul. The way his pen is writing on the martyrs of freedom, it is full of very pleasant feelings and hopes with the intention that those national characters which should be reaching the new generation are reaching. ‘Mera Naam Azad Hai’ is another important book in this connection by Dr. Sudhir Azad, which comes in the genre of drama.
The background of this play is something like this, “After the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar, Punjab in 1919, India, reeling under the shackles of subjugation, launched another rebellion for independence. This rebellion was an attempt to destroy the Indian identity arising from the sacrifices of 1857. The peace rebellion was – ‘Non-cooperation Movement’, which was led by Mahatma Gandhi.
The non-cooperation movement had become a mass movement, in which every person from every section of the country was ensuring his participation. The active participation of every section of the society – farmers, students, teachers, traders, laborers and lawyers – gave it a nationwide form. Everyone was choosing their role according to their capacity at their respective places and were committed to sacrifice themselves in this sacrifice of freedom.
In the year 1921, the non-cooperation movement was at its peak and child Chandrashekhar was arrested during a protest and presented before the magistrate. Parsi magistrate Mr. Khare Ghat was known for his harsh punishments. As punishment, child Chandrashekhar received fifteen strokes of the cane.
In the year 1921, when a fifteen year old child jumped into this non-cooperation movement with full readiness to carry his unshakable beliefs, perhaps no one would have imagined even in their dreams that this child would be responsible for India’s independence in the future. Will become the revolution-sun of revolution. After this whole incident, Chandrashekhar Tiwari had become Chandrashekhar Azad.
Dr. Sudhir Azad has made this incident the basis of ‘My name is Azad’. In his autobiography, he writes – “The indomitable spirit and immense spirit of sacrifice of a fifteen-year-old young man to liberate his dependent nation is indeed amazing, but at the same time, Gandhiji’s full strength in the non-cooperation movement for freedom in the then India. To jump together and in time to achieve the goal of India’s independence, by creating a new path of armed revolution different from the ideology of the same Mahatma Gandhi, and even becoming a guide of that lesson!
This incredible and unique hard work and vision makes Chandrashekhar Azad not only unique in India’s freedom struggle but also a hero who is the foundation of independence.
“The flame of revolution which Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi had lit for India’s independence, kept it bright even by sacrificing her life. Chandrashekhar Azad made that flame a burning torch by giving his blood and later on, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose held this torch and paved the way for India’s independence. Therefore, it is unquestionably accepted that Chandrashekhar Azad is the strongest foundation of India’s independence. He has made the second path to freedom a highway by watering it with his blood.”
I agree verbatim with this statement of Dr. Sudhir Azad. Undoubtedly, the history of Indian independence cannot be written without the martyrdom of Chandrashekhar Azad.
Dr. Sudhir Azad has taken the context of the play to germinate the seeds of national sentiment in Balman, that is why instead of giving it any detail, he has only presented the initial events of Chandrashekhar Azad’s life as inspiration. At one place they even call it children’s drama.
This play, which is full of all the elements of drama in its limited style and short canvas, has within itself effective and ideal possibilities of staging. The vigor and flow of the language of the drama is unmatched. The language is capable of conveying the thoughts and feelings of the characters with complete success.
The character plan is appropriate to the context. This play is successful as it covers the country, time and environment in its story. From a historical point of view this is completely authentic, there is no doubt about it. In the Samvad Yojana, Dr. Sudhir Azad’s cultural awareness stems from the Indian spiritual tradition. The language is used according to the communication situation. This dialogue is the best example of my statement, when child Chandrashekhar says to his friends-
“Friends, the impulse of these holy waves of Mother Ganga is running in the form of blood in our arteries. This is the basis of spiritual consciousness and the divine source of our beliefs. Let us take an oath on this sacred shore that we will dedicate our all to this movement but will not let it stop under any circumstances.”
Musicality has made the drama more simple and easy to reach the audience and readers. The song at the end of the play multiplies its effect and provides emotional excitement. Watch this excerpt from the song-
We swear by Mother Ganga for freedom
Will be hanged and will face bullets
When will India become independent?
A shroud of blood will be played on the dam’s head, Holi will be played.
I have come under their spell for the first and last time.
Arrest me again, they don’t have the authority.
Open your ears and listen carefully, O British power!
I was free, I am free and I will remain free.
‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’!, ‘Hindustan Zindabad’!
Ultimately, it would be right to say that another meaningful work has been created from the pen of Dr. Sudhir Azad’s fire, which is not only relevant but also full of inspirations. This book, which tells the condition and direction of the new generation, should also be included in the libraries of schools and colleges of the country along with other literature of Dr. Sudhir Azad.
Dr. Sudhir Azad, who did his PhD on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, has books on great national characters like Birsa Munda, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Khudiram Bose, Sardar Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Hemu Kalani, Jhansi Ki Rani Laxmibai, Jhalkari Bai and Rani Durgavati. This is a testimony to the commitment with which they are presenting great ideals to the new generation.