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At last, there seems to be some semblance of recognition and redemption for the spirit of the valiant woman
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Kannada actress and director Roopa Iyer plans to make a Bollywood biopic on the life and times of Neera Arya
She passed away on July26, 1998, at the age of 96 at the Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad, mostly forgotten by a nation and its people. This brave and intrepid warrior, did not hesitate for a moment to stab her husband to death, when he became a threat to the patriotic cause of the Azad Hind Fauj
Somewhere among thebustling, winding lanes and alleys within the precincts of Falaknuma, Hyderabad, is a small piece of hallowed ground, long forgotten in the dusty pages off Time and History, that’s waiting to be discovered. When that will happen, no one knows because the trajectory of circumstances can be unpredictable and just as fickle too.
Incidentally, the areas and neighbourhood around the Nizam of Hyderabad’s Falaknuma Palace, has over the years come to be known simply as Falaknuma.
At this spot (no knows exactly where) long years ago. A poor flower seller sat at a street corner and eked out a living, day in and day out, braving the elements – the summer’s unforgiving heat, the winter’s cold and the incessant monsoon showers.
The fresh flowers she sold with a gentle and quiet dignity, gladdened the hearts of all. Some came for marigolds to weave into garlands for various festive activities, others came for the scented Jasmine flowers to wear in their hair, yet others came for fresh rose petals and blooms to offer in their temple prayers.
She passed away on July26, 1998, at the age of 96 at the Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad, her life mostly forgotten by a nation and its people. This brave and lost soulwas none other than Neera Arya, a proud and fearless soldier and intrepid warrior in Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA), carrying aloft India’s flag for freedom from British rule.
Her single-minded dedication to the cause of Independence and the lofty principles of Netaji, did not stop her from stabbing to death her husband, Srikant Jai Ranjan Das, a British Army officer and CID inspector, when he became a threat to the patriotic cause of the Azad Hind Fauj and was looking for an opportunity to expose her and hand her over to his Briitish masters.
But Neera would not let any impediment stand in her way– not even her own husband. For her it was an imperative sacrifice that had to made for Freedom’s sake and cause.
Later she was caught by the British and suffered imprisonment on the Andaman Islands, in the dreaded cellular jail, more infamously known by its Indian name “Kala Paani” (Black Water) a place few could survive or return from if providence allowed.
During her incarceration, the British offered her a quid pro quo: an offer of unconditional bail in exchange for the names and whereabouts of her INA comrades and associates. Despite the brutal torture, including the excision of her breasts, Neera remained unyielding and unrelenting, bearing all the atrocities with exemplary stoicism.
On her release from prison, she went back to serve in the INA as a Spy. In one off her journals/diary she had written that she worked alongside another female spy Saraswati Rajamani. The two worked undercover disguised as men procuring and passing on vital information about British troop movement and intelligence.
Neera Arya was born on March 5, 1902, in Khekra Nagar, Baghpath, Uttar Pradesh, India. Her father a well to do and influential businessmen sent the young girl to Kolkata for her early education. But right from then on itself, there was a stirring in her heart, a call for something bigger. It wasn’t long before she had found her calling and joined the Rani Jhansi Regiment of Netaji’s Azad Hind Fauj.
Shortly around this time her father arranged her marriage to Srikant Jai Ranjan Das. But Neera and her husband’s paths were at cross purposes. She was devoutly steadfast and loyal to Netaji’s freedom call “give me blood and I will give you liberty”. Her husband on the other hand was staunchly pro-Briitish. He was also unaware of Neera’s patriotic leanings and activities within the INA, which she had secretly joined.
Finally, a biopic on Neera Arya in the offing
At last, there seems to be some semblance of recognition and redemption for the spirit of the valiant woman. Kannada actress and director Roopa Iyer plans to make a Bollywood biopic on the life and times of Neera Arya.
Iyer says, “We’ve heard of Gandhi and Bose, but there are many like Neera Arya whose stories are unknown. This film is to remind future generations of their bravery.” She says the film is based on extensive research, including interviews with people in Neera’s birthplace and study of historical records. The script has been written by National Award-winning writer Varun Gautham.
When completed, the film on Neera Arya will stand out as a saga of courage, conflict, and commitment.; a woman who not only defied colonial powers but also personal relationships, choosing country first and foremost.
It is also an attempt to bring back into mainstream memory a freedom fighter who gave up everything for India yet died in obscurity. Neera Arya’s legacy is a reminder that freedom is won on the strength of blood, tears and an unbroken spirit.
