A ballet based on Jhansi Ki Rani ‘Khoob ladi Mardani’ was staged here on Wednesday at Shaheed Bhavan Auditorium, marking the concluding day of a two-day theatre festival.

Directed and choreographed by city-based noted choreographer Chandra Madhav Barik, the ballet was presented by Kriti Ballet and Performing Arts, Bhopal.

The ballet is based on the novel and poem with the same name by novelist Vrindavan lal and poet Subhadara Kumari Chauhan.

The ballet began with the most famous poem of Chauhan  ‘Bundele Harbolo Ke Munh Humne Suni Kahani Thi, Khoob ladi Mardani Woh To Jhansi Wali Rani Thi’. The narrators on the stage recited the poem, introducing laxmi Bai in bridal wear waiting for his groom Raja Gangadhar Rao to come and take her along.

The ballet then focused on how, after losing Gangadhar Rao, laxmi Bai took up the responsibility of her kingdom Jhansi and became the Queen of the kingdom.

A contemporary free style ballet wondrously showcased on how the queen struggled for the victory and freedom of her country. The speedy footworks and the impactful facial expressions, the ballet almost left the audience enthralled.

To make the performance even more impactful, few lines from the poetry by Subhadra Kumari Chauhan were taken and were sung by the artists.

When she fearlessly fought against the British it was the time when audience appreciated the act with huge applauses.

Her death scene created an emotional mood at the hall. The costumes and the light design and the music added an enchantment in the performance.