What is Naxalbari? All you need to know before new Zee5 series drops
Naxalbari, a new web series, is all set to release on Zee5. In this piece, we will take you back in time to talk about the history of Naxalbari so that you can join the dots accordingly while watching the series.
Partho Mitra's new web series Naxalbari, starring Rajeev Khandelwal, Tina Datta and Aamir Ali in the lead roles, is all set to release on OTT platform Zee5 on November 28. If historical dramas/thrillers are your thing, you must be waiting for the show with bated breath. But in order to follow the nuances of the series, it is essential for you to understand the history of Naxalbari. However, do note that the web series in question is set in Maharashtra and chronicles the story of a red uprising in Gadchiroli.
In this piece, we will take you back in time, all the way to 1967, to talk about the history of Naxalbari so that you can join the dots accordingly while watching the series.
WHAT IS NAXALBARI?
Situated in the Siliguri subdivision of the Darjeeling district in West Bengal, Naxalbari is a small village in the Naxalbari CD block. The village was the site of a revolt in 1967 that ultimately led to the Naxalite-Maoist insurgency.
WHAT IS THE NAXALBARI UPRISING?
In May 1967, an uprising was triggered in Naxalbari as police opened fire on a group of poor peasants while they demanded their right to crops on a particular piece of land. Nine people as well as two children were killed in the police firing.
HOW DID THE NAXALBARI UPRISING START?
The Naxalbari uprising, led by Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal, was primarily conducted by local tribals and the radical communist leaders of Bengal. This further expanded into the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) in 1969. Soon after, the Naxalbari uprising inspired the Naxalite movement that expanded from West Bengal to other states of India. This, in turn, caused a rift within the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) party.
WHO IS CHARU MAJUMDAR?
Charu Majumdar, leader of the movement, was of the opinion that the situation was suitable for establishing an armed protracted people's war in India following the Chinese Revolution (1949), Vietnam War and Cuban Revolution. Also, Charu Majumdar was highly influenced and inspired by the Chinese-Communist leader Mao Tse Tung, who spearheaded the Communist Movement in China.
He is also the author of the Historic Eight Documents that formed the foundation of the Naxalite Movement in 1967 while his ideology guided it.
WHO IS KANU SANYAL?
A communist politician, Kanu Sanyal was one of the primary leaders of the Naxalbari uprising. He was also one of the founding leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI (ML)) in 1969.
THE NAXALITES
Naxalites are considered far-left communists in support of Maoism. Their origin has been traced to the disintegration of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 1967 after the Naxalbari peasant uprising, leading to the formation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) two years later.
NAXALBARI IN POPULAR CULTURE
The history of Naxalbari, over the past few years, has found a place in novels as well as films. Jhumpa Lahiri's acclaimed 2013 novel The Lowland was based on the story of two brothers from Kolkata against the backdrop of the Naxalite movement.
In 2012, Prakash Jha made Chakravyuh, a socio-political thriller starring Arjun Rampal, Abhay Deol and Esha Gupta in the lead roles. The film was also based on the Naxalite movement.
Watch the trailer of Chakravyuh here:
And this Friday, director Partho Mitra's Naxalbari will take viewers back to the Naxal movement and how it inspired the Gadchiroli uprising.
Watch the trailer of Partho Mitra's Naxalbari here:
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