Monday, April 06, 2015

Interview with Shri Diwanaji

This interview was recorded on September 2007, during the Chhapar Fair, by eminent film maker Shri Ajay Bhardwaj. Shri Deewana, born June 15, 1922 in Maherna, has narrated his life story - a great footballer, singer, dramatist, freedom fighter, social activist. He was imprisoned in Malerkotla, Layallpore, Ludhiana knew names of all friends, police officials, satyagraha movements; had met Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose and worked closely with JP, Lohia, Narender Deva, Parwardhan, Aruna Asaf Ali and other socialist leaders; resorted to hunger strike for twelve days in 1954 for an elected management for School.
      
He could still sing old patriotic songs and self composed poems. He played role of Lachhmana in Ramleela where he used to get actually fainted. He was also offered the role of Sher Dil Dakoo in the film Bhabhi.

Tek Chand Deewana is a human monument of Ahmedgarh.


Author's family with Shri Diwanaji, 1994
Author and family with Shri Diwanaji, 20-11-1994