On Our Radar: Freedom

We remember him on his birthday and death anniversary, and watch Richard Attenborough’s award-winning biographical film when it airs on TV — but now we can see Mahatma Gandhi brought to life on stage. Performed by children from Raëll Padamsee’s ACE (Academy for Creative Expression) and seven Indian NGOs, Freedom celebrates the centenary of Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa.

“Since this is also the year that the government has reintroduced the Swachh Bharat programme that Gandhiji initiated, it seems a perfect time to launch this fantastic return to our roots,” says Padamsee. “I want viewers to not only take home the values that were such an important part of our freedom struggle — non-violence, determination, self-reliance, hard work and no class or gender discrimination — but also to incorporate them into their daily lives. I hope Freedom will give people a chance to re-experience and hopefully live how Gandhi taught us to,” she explains.

With stalwarts Fali Unwalla, Alyque Padamsee and Arzan Khambatta contributing to the production, and a special song being composed for the show by musical trio Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Freedom is sure to inspire the patriot in every viewer.

Freedom will premiere at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai on August 14, 2015.