Location: Mandala, Thapagaun

Time: 1 hrs 15 min

Synopsis:

       Drawing upon oral historical accounts, the period following the Sugauli Treaty witnessed Nepal under the pervasive influence of British imperialism. Subsequently, the ideological currents of the Bolshevik Revolution, commencing in 1917, permeated Nepal through the Soviet Union and China. This era was also characterized by the presence of veterans who had served in the First World War and the ongoing independence movements in adjacent nations. The cumulative impact of these global revolutionary movements inevitably extended to Nepal, ultimately contributing to the Seven Saal Revolution. Notably, the veterans who enlisted in the Liberation Army played a significant role in the revolution's ideological and tactical evolution. The nascent democracy established in Seven Saal was later subverted by Mahendra in 17 Saal, a development that naturally fostered dissent among those who had fought for it. Concurrently, the abolition of the communal land tenure system known as ‘Kipat’ through the Land Reform Act of 1921 and the subsequent land management plan implemented by the Panchayat regime to quell burgeoning rebellions further contributed to the prevailing socio-political unrest. It is within this context of political upheaval in regions such as Jhoda and Lakh Bhumi Sattabharna that the figure of 'Dara Singh' emerges.

Dara Singh is portrayed as a young man established within the societal framework of the Panchayat era, yet deeply immersed in its complexities. He is depicted as a figure with a community preceding and succeeding him, and surrounded by his peers. Possessing a distinct set of principles and thoughts, he adheres to his own ideology concerning cultural aesthetics and social integration, coupled with an inherent sense of justice and a unique disposition. This individual, embodying a particular cultural and social ideology, is progressively drawn into the political turmoil instigated by the then-ruling Panchayat government. During this period marked by societal complexities, political opportunism, and growing self-awareness, a series of events transpire that ultimately lead to his ascendance to power and subsequently, to his demise.

        Let us further say that Dara Singh was a character created by the Panchayat yesterday to strengthen its power from the center to the villages, the story told by the government is never true. Only now are we preparing to tell the real story.

 

Start Date: April 29, 2025

End Date: May 25, 2025