The tales of Amar Singh Rathore’s are still remembered in the folk stories of legends. On the second day of Adi Vidrohi Drama festival 2014, a play - Amar Singh Rathore was staged at Antarang Hall, Bharat Bhavan. Directed by Kishan Swaroop Pachauri from Mathura, the play was performed in Nautanki style. Adored with traditional costumes, simple stage craft and extraordinary light design, the play managed to capture the interest of the audience and maintained it till the last.
The play Amar Singh Rathore talked about such a brave soldier who lost his life fighting against the wrong.
The play begins with Mughal Darbar of King Shahjahan. Amar Singh Rathore was a warlord in the army of Shahjahan and headed the army in one of the divisions in Agra. Shahjahan was very much impressed by his bravery and intelligence. But, this was not liked by brother-in-law of King Shahjahan Salabat Khan. He was jealous of Amar and wanted to put him down in the king’s eyes and was waiting for an opportunity to discrete Amar.
He got opportunity sooner when there was a trivia over Amar’s unauthorised absence. Salabat blown it up as an issue so much that Shahjahan asked Salabat to fine Amar. Taking advantage of this, Salabat insisted Amar to pay the penalty then and there itself. Salabat also warned he would not let go of Amar without paying penalty. Amar felt deceived and was furious over the way Salabat heckled at him. He took out his sword out and hacked Salabat on the spot. Shahjahan taken aback ordered his soldiers to kill Amar. But valiant Amar shown his battle skills and killed almost all of those who came upon him and soon escaped from the Fort.
Furious Shahjahan orders that whoever will kill Amar will be rewarded. Amar’s brother-in-law Arjun accepted the challenge. He ditched Amar and stabbed him to death. later Shahjahan did not keep his word and killed Arjun as well.
The folklore has this legend in heart rendering song-dance show in praise of Rajput Warriors who fought for self respect and boast of self pride.