Marking the martydom day of Bhagat Singh, a powerful stage production on the freedom fighter brought his enduring ideology into sharp contemporary focus. The play, Main Bhagat Singh, directed by Keerti Kirpal and written by Pali Bupender and presented by Punjab Natyam, explored how issues like unemployment and child labour remain unresolved despite political change and can be resolved by reinterpreting Bhagat Singh’s ideology even in modern context. As Kirpal noted, “The revolution Bhagat Singh spoke of wasn’t just about replacing British rulers with Indians; the system of control often remains the same.”
Featuring a cast of 15, the serious production blended students and professional actors. Pavitar Singh played Lachi Baba—a mentally unstable yet insightful character who voices Bhagat Singh’s ideology—while Gurnoor portrayed Bhagat Singh himself. The play is especially in demand around his birth anniversary, as few productions interpret his thoughts in a modern world, said Kirpal. Yet, the team acknowledges a larger challenge. Theatre, often seen as intense and socially driven, struggles to attract youth due to limited financial incentives and its “serious” image. Kirpal emphasized that to sustain audiences, theatre must also embrace romance, comedy, and lighter themes. “People already deal with stress in real life; theatre should reflect all colours of life,” she said.Balancing meaningful storytelling with entertainment, the production reinforces theatre as both a medium of social commentary and an engaging art form that needs revival.
