In the days leading up to the premiere of the Punjabi-language play Ram Mohammad Singh Azad: The Spirit of Freedom, multiple Montreal-based media outlets published in-depth coverage highlighting the importance of the production and the people behind it. Developed and performed by newcomers in Parc-Extension and supported by the Immigrant Workers Centre’s Arts in the Margins program, Comité d’action de Parc-Extension (C.A.P.E.), and the South Asian Diaspora Action Collective (SADAC), the play connects histories of anti-colonial resistance with the contemporary experiences of migrants and working-class communities in Montreal.
The following report summarizes the coverage published on July 24–25 by CityNews Montreal and CBC Montreal.
1. CityNews Montreal – Video Report
Title: Montreal newcomers showcase India’s anti-colonial history through play
Date: July 24, 2025
Link: Watch Video
CityNews featured a video segment spotlighting the cast and creators of the play during rehearsals at a community space in Parc-Extension. The piece centers the voices of Punjabi newcomer artists such as Supanpreet Kaur, who stresses the urgency of telling these stories. The visual coverage captures moments from the play, costumes, and the vibrant energy of community-led production. The report connects the historical narrative of anti-colonial fighter Udham Singh to the lives of migrant artists navigating a new cultural landscape in Quebec.
2. CityNews Montreal – Written Article
Title: Newcomers in Montreal showcase India’s anti-colonial history through Punjabi theatre
Date: July 24, 2025
Author: Tehosterihens Deer
Link: Read Article
This detailed article documents the story behind the play and the intentions of its creators. Directors Nitu Sharma and Gaurav Sharma explain that Ram Mohammad Singh Azad tells the story of Udham Singh, a revolutionary who survived the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre and later assassinated British official Michael O’Dwyer in London as an act of resistance.
The article highlights how the play serves as a platform for cultural expression, community healing, and historical education. Amy Darwish of C.A.P.E. draws connections between the anti-colonial movements of the past and today’s migrant struggles, especially those facing precarious status, housing exclusion, and labor exploitation.
Key quotes:
“It’s not just about history—it’s also about now.”
“Migrant workers, refugees, and asylum seekers have been the most affected by the housing crisis. Their struggles are connected to the same global systems of exploitation this play speaks against
3. CBC News – Feature Article
Title: Punjabi-language theatre group offers newcomers confidence, connection and community
Date: July 25, 2025
Link: Read Article
CBC’s article expands on the social and psychological impact of the play on its participants. The report emphasizes that many of the actors are newcomers who have faced marginalization, isolation, and structural challenges upon arriving in Quebec.
By performing in their mother tongue and recounting stories from their ancestral past, participants are reclaiming pride in their identity while building collective strength. The play is not only a cultural production but also a form of resistance and affirmation.
Director Gaurav Sharma is quoted saying:
“Theatre becomes a way of surviving. It becomes a way of speaking out, of telling our truths.”
The article also spotlights the educational aspect of the performance, with community members and younger audiences learning about the legacy of the Ghadar Party and India’s radical diaspora movements.
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