The revered freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda will be seen once again on the land of Jharkhand, leading the Ulgulan, the first tribal struggle for independence in India he launched in 19th Century, on the face of hills lining the periphery of Kanke Dam. This time though, he will be shaped out of light and sound, and not flesh and blood.
The light and sound show, ‘Dharti Aaba’, portraying the life, struggles and rebellion of Birsa Munda will be played every evening for the people of Ranchi at Kanke Dam Park. The 40 minute long sequence is a biography of Birsa Munda formed out of laser light rays and narrated by the voice of veteran actor Om Puri.
“Dharti Aaba (Birsa Munda) gave people the power to raise their voices against injustice. His struggle to eradicate oppression and slavery are exemplary. He helped the poor and helpless. We must follow in the footsteps of Dharti Aaba to make a harmonious and improved society,” Chief Minister Raghubar Das said after inaugurating the light and sound show here on Tuesday.
The script of ‘Dharti Aaba’ has been mostly based on the stories of Ulgulan and struggle of Birsa Munda to continue the rebellion. The show and the script have been prepared by Gurgaon-based Tricolour India Schauspiel Pvt ltd.
The show was put together by India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) on the behest of State Tourism Department. Prepared with a budget of Rs4.43 crores, the show was handed over to Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation (JTDC) for operation on January 20 this year.
“The light and sound show will not only entertain the people of Jharkhand but will also help them learn a lot about the life of Bhagwan Birsa. The modern technology employed in making this show is entertaining as well as capable of transporting the viewers to the time of Ulgulan,” stated Tourism, Art, Culture and Youth Affairs Minister Amar Kumar Bauri.
The technology used in the show projects light rays over the hills at the edge of Kanke Dam Park to form images and an array of speakers sounds the representative sounds.
The maiden show was attended by dignitaries like Kanke MlA Jeetu Charan Ram, Tourism Secretary Avinash Kumar and Deputy Mayor Sanjeev Vijaywargia among others. Viewers can enjoy the show after taking a ticket of Rs50.