Dance to Freedom

Dance to Freedom uncovers the untold tales of tawaifs, unrecognized heroes in India’s fight for independence. Highlighting their vital contribution to the freedom movement, this book showcases their artistic brilliance and resilience against British oppression. It celebrates their enduring influence on Indian culture and politics, serving as a poignant tribute to these forgotten heroes who, through dance and defiance, made an indelible impact on the struggle for freedom. A must-read, this book unveils the untold stories that shaped India’s history.

Tawaifs - Pioneers of Dance and Freedom in India

Explore the unheard stories of tawaifs-- a group often overlooked in the narrative of India’s struggle for independence. Delve into their art and how it influenced Indian society, their accepted social status, as well as their unjust treatment and marginalization. An insight into the political, socio-cultural, and historical context of India’s independence struggle Highlights how tawaifs broke the boundaries of gender roles and used their art to support the freedom movement. A unique perspective on traditional historical narratives.

A.K. Gandhi is a historian, author, and translator. He writes in both Hindi and English and has several books to his credit, published by prestigious publishers including the National Book Trust (1857 Kranti Va Krantidhara), Madhya Pradesh Hindi Granth Akademi, Bhopal (Pratap, Shivaji aur Chhatrasal), Kitabghar Pub. (Bharatiya Thal Sena: Badhate Kadam), Prabhat Pub. (APJ Abdul Kalam: A Saintly Scientist), and others. His articles and stories have appeared in several prestigious newspapers and magazines, including The Hindu, Times of India, Reader’s Digest, Competition Success Review, Amar Ujala, Janwani, and Dainik Jagran. As a translator (Hindi- English, English- Hindi), he has several published books, including Gond, Komagata Maru (both English- Hindi, National Book Trust), The Battle of Rezang La (Penguin, NBT), and Narendra Modi’s Jyotipunj (Hindi- Eng, Prabhat Pub.). An ex-IAF language specialist, presently A.K. Gandhi, is also the mentor under the Prime Minister Yuva Mentorship Scheme (for young authors) as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav program.