Freedom Song

A few months ago,Kathak dancer and theatre director Hemanta Kumar Kalita was faced with a strange problem...

Maniram Dewan brought Assams popular freedom fighter to the Capital

A few months ago,Kathak dancer and theatre director Hemanta Kumar Kalita was faced with a strange problem: How do you tell the story of Assamese freedom fighter Maniram Dewan to an audience thats never heard of him? The solution,he thought,lay in translating a heroic struggle into a dance drama,punching it with vigorous Assamese folk music and dance. Maniram Dewan Echoes of 1857,sponsored by the Sangeet Natak Akademi and staged at LTG auditorium on Thursday,also juxtaposed several contrasting elements Assamese rhythms and Hindi dialogues,Kathak and modern movements.

He belongs to the Lucknow gharana of Kathak and is a Grade A artist with Doordarshan. For Maniram Dewan,I was determined to keep the energy level high since the storyline itself is a common one of every martyr who gave up his life fighting for the Independence of the country. People in Delhi are familiar with Bhagat Singh but the stories and sacrifices of the East are unknown, says Kalita,35,who played the lead. The actors were drawn from Kriti,a Delhi-based troupe of dance professionals,who seamlessly moved from Bihu to Jhumur to Jikir to Kathak. The dancers used Bihu and Jhumur to depict the Hindu-Muslim unity in Assam before the colonial troops arrived. The torture scenes were depicted through free-flowing body movements while the peoples protest used the intensity of Kathak.

The play begins with the hanging of Dewan by the British soldiers and proceeds to talk of his life in flashback. The recorded music uses several less-known Assamese musical instruments,from the huge temple drum called Doba to Gogona,a bamboo percussion instrument to the tuning-fork shaped Toka. The songs are drawn from the Hills,and includes Bhupen Hazarikas Dil Hum Hum Kare, says Kalita.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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