On 15 August and 26 January, school stages fill with small freedom fighters. The costumes are simple, but each character has one or two details that the audience looks for. Get those right and the rest falls into place.
Mahatma Gandhi
A white khadi dhoti and shawl, round spectacles, and a lathi. Bare feet or simple chappals finish it. A line to try: "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
The INA uniform: a military-style tunic with a belt, and the peaked cap. Round spectacles help. A line to try: "Give me blood, and I will give you freedom."
Bhagat Singh
A kurta or shirt with the trademark felt hat. A line to try: "Inquilab Zindabad!"
Rani Laxmibai
A Nauvari saree worn warrior-style, jewellery, and above all the sword and shield. A line to try: "I will not give up my Jhansi."
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
White dhoti-kurta with a shawl over the shoulder. A line to try about uniting the princely states: "Unity is our strength."
Jawaharlal Nehru
A fitted achkan or Nehru jacket over a kurta, a white cap, and a rose in the buttonhole.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
An angarkha, a saffron pagdi or pheta, and a sword. A shield adds drama on stage.
Planning a whole class?
For a full freedom-struggle tableau, list the characters and the number of children and send it to us. We put matching sets together for schools; see the Independence & Republic Day page and the school rack.
