Play on Baji Rout staged at Bhanja Kala Mandap
Bhubaneswar: A children’s play titled Biplabi Bajia staged at Bhanja Kala Mandap here Saturday. The play was presented by Pinkwood Creations in association with Pace and Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir, Rasulgarh showcased the story of Baji Rout, the youngest freedom fighter from India.
The play is conceptualized by Odia actress Pinky Pradhan and directed by Siba Tripathy. The play is written by Sudhanshu Nayak.
Students of Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir, Rasulgarh presented the play on Baji Rout to create a patriotism sense among the youngsters and also to remember the indomitable spirit of Baji Rout.
The play “Biplabi Bajia” aims to instill a sense of nationalism and patriotic fervor among children through the medium of a stage-play. This production is being performed by students of Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir in Brahmeswar Colony, Rasulgarh.
Inspired by the life of Biplabi Baji Rout, the youngest freedom fighter and a courageous martyr of India who sacrificed his life for his motherland. At the tender age of 12, he fearlessly confronted British gunfire and made the ultimate sacrifice by refusing to transport British soldiers across the Brahmani River on the night of October 11th, 1938 in Nilakanthapur.
The purpose of this stage-play initiative is to shed light on the sacrifices, bravery, and courage of lesser-known heroes of the freedom struggle, specifically through children’s theatre as well as to celebrate the Azadi ka Amrit Mohosav commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Independence of India.Our goal is to organize additional theatrical performances involving children and foster a positive environment for children-centric theatre activities within the state.
This joint effort is facilitated by Pinkwood Creations, an organization founded by Pinki Pradhan, an esteemed actress and theatre personality, and PACE foundation, which was established by Sambit Tripathy, a former bureaucrat and respected social entrepreneur.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan graced the occasion as chief guest. This apart many other eminent personalities such as children literary writer Benudhar Dash, Theatre director Manoj Patnaik, cine critic Surya Deo, actor Swaraj Barik, actress Pinky Pradhan were also present.
Baji Rout was young Indian freedom fighter and martyr in 20th century, having been killed at the age of twelve. He was born on 5 October 1926. Rout, who was a boat boy, was shot by British police when he refused to ferry them across the Brahmani River on the night of 11 October 1938 at Nilakanthapur Ghat, Bhuban, Dhenkanal district.
Baji Rout was the youngest son of a boatman on the Brahmani river. As an active member of the Banar Sena of Prajamandal (Party of People), he had volunteered to keep watch by the river at night. The British Police force ordered him to cross the river by his boat which he denied. The police force then fired upon Baji Rout along with Laxman Malik, Fagu Sahoo, Hrushi Pradhan and Nata Malik.