Marking the second day of Azad Bansuri Bal Natya Samaroh on Tuesday, the contribution and sacrifice of a female were depicted through two plays.
Hindi plays ‘Jhalkari Bai’ and 'Manikarnika' were staged here on Tuesday at Shaheed Bhavan.
The play Jhalkari Bai was directed by Sangratna Bankar. The play focuses on the contribution of a female warrior in the freedom struggle. Jhalkari Bai was a soldier in the women’s army of Queen Laxmi Bai of Jhansi.
The play depicted her life span from her childhood till she fought for the freedom of the country. Jhalkari Bai was an Indian woman soldier who played an important role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 during the battle of Jhansi.
During the rebellion, at the fort of Jhansi, she disguised herself as the queen and fought on the front to let the queen escape safely out of the fort.
During the Revolt of 1857, General Hugh Rose attacked Jhansi with a large army. Jhalkari Bai made a suggestion that she would go on the front in disguise. The queen escaped from the fort and left for Kalpi. At the same time, Jhalkari Bai set out for General Rose's camp in disguise and declared herself as the queen Laxmi Bai. This led to confusion. She was released only after it was revealed that she was not the queen but a common soldier.
Her life and especially the incident of her fighting with the East India Company army on the front in disguise, continues to be sung in various Bundeli folklores.
Next the tale of valour of Queen of Jhansi was narrated by little artists of the city through a dance drama ‘Manikarnika’. The event was organized by Nav Nritya Natya Sanstha, Bhopal. The play was directed by Sneha Kher.
Besides, a performance of splendor was presented by the artists from 4 to 14 years old kids making it even more enjoyable. Notably, Laxmibai earned the title of Jhansi of Rani for the valour with which she fought the British, while overcoming several personal setbacks. After losing Gangadhar Rao, the widowed Laxmi Bai took up the responsibility of her kingdom Jhansi and became the Queen of the kingdom.
