The Boy Who Fought an Empire is a play that seeks to inform children, and have them meaningfully engage with the fascinating boyhood, adult and mature years of the person who became known as 'Netaji.
Subhash Chandra Bose searched for meaning and purpose since a young age. Influenced by his headmaster he spends time with nature and reads widely but then turns to religion in the hope of finding greater meaning. Dissatisfied with following religious rituals, he is taken up by the words of Swami Vivekanand who emphasizes serving the poor and needy. As a young man, Subhash Bose tries to save lives in a cholera-infected village even as he fights bullying in college. A brilliant student, he turns down a lucrative career in the ICS. A leading light within the Congress, he gives it all up to wage a war for India's independence. How did Netaji raise an army, and try to stave off the Bengal Famine? Did he succeed in securing independence for India?
Dramatic incidents in Netaji's life are interspersed with scenes in which five children react to his life, struggles and achievements in terms of their own identities. This fabulous device gives this unique and exciting play a contemporary feel, adding to the modern-day relevance of his life.
Rajesh Talwar is a prolific writer who has authored thirty-nine books across multiple genres. Rajesh writes on contemporary issues, historical retellings, Indian history and culture, social justice, human rights and law and he has written children's stories, plays, novels, self-help and non-fiction books.
He has previously written seven books for children. In The Three Greens three children investigate various enviro-mysteries and find solutions to the planet's problems. In The Bearded Prince Princess Roopali has a swayamvara in which several princes participate and one of them has a beard. This story deals with the overcoming of prejudice. In The Sleepless Beauty Princess Ramya cannot sleep, which concerns her father, the king, who wishes for her to succeed to the throne as soon as possible. Several princely suitors try different methods to cure her of her sleeplessness. In Playwrights, five children who are part of their school's Drama Society meet to write and enact a play on the theme of human rights. What happens next is surprising! In Fabulous Four Battle Zoozoo, the Wizard, four children with special powers come together to battle the evil wizard Zoozoo, who has kidnapped and imprisoned Princess Samara's parents, the king and queen of Nonamia. In The Boy Who Wrote a Constitution, five children enact a play on the challenging childhood and boyhood years of Dr BR Ambedkar. Finally, in The Boy Who Became a Mahatma, the play focusses on the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi.
Rajesh has contributed to The Economic Times, The Guardian (UK), The Daily Guardian, The Pioneer, The Times of India, The Patriot, the Sunday Mail and the New Indian Express. He is a sought-after speaker at literary festivals across the country.
Rajesh has worked for the United Nations for over two decades, in numerous countries, across three continents.
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