The Boy Who Became the Mahatma is a play that seeks to inform children, and simultaneously have them meaningfully engage with the fascinating boyhood, adult and mature years of the person who became 'the Mahatma' and 'the Father of the Indian nation'.
The playwright, Rajesh Talwar, has used the fabulous device of focussing on the childhood years that illuminate, as never before, Gandhi's relationship with his mother, father and wife. A story of personal growth, it discusses how Mohandas, the child, may have made mistakes but always reflected on any such unworthy actions, took remedial action where necessary and strengthened his moral fibre as a con sequence. After the focus on the childhood years, the play moves on to discuss major incidents in Gandhi's life, as a young man fighting discrimination in South Africa. The last scenes focus on how the Mahatma not only fought for freedom from British rule, but also worked relentlessly against religious divisions and untouchability in India.
Dramatic incidents in his life are interspersed with scenes in which five children react to his life, struggles and achievements in terms of their own identities. This gives this unique and exciting play a contemporary feel, adding to the modern-day relevance of Gandhi's life.
Rajesh Talwar is a prolific writer who has authored thirty-six 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.
In his most recent book for children, The Boy Who Wrote a Constitution: A Play for Children on Human Rights, five children enact a play on the life and times of Dr BR Ambedkar.
Rajesh has previously written five books for children on contemporary themes and has used many forms of storytelling.
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 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 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!
Rajesh has contributed to the Economic Times, The Guardian (UK), The Daily Guardian, the Pioneer, the Times of India NIE, The Patriot, Manushi, 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, across three continents, in numerous countries.
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