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KEEPING GANDHI ALIVE, THE CREATIVE WAY
Mahatma Gandhi and his ideology are for all times. In fact, his teachings are more relevant in today’s times. While government may have been doing its bit in keeping the Gandhi ideology alive, there are many who not only live Gandhi but ensure that his teachings reach far and wide. On his death anniversary today, we bring you the stories of three warriors from Lucknow who are propagating Gandhi among the new generations in their own creative way.
ASHOK KUMAR: MAN BEHIND ‘THE LITTLE MUSEUM’
Kumar has been accumulating Gandhi collectibles since 1980 and has exhibited around 45 Philatelic exhibitions from1997 to 2019 at various places based on Gandhi theme.
“Mahatma’s collectables are close to my heart. Newspaper clipping with heading as ‘Mahatma Gandhi assassinated at Delhi’ still reminds me of the day father of the nation was killed. Two postal letters on first death anniversary of Mahatma and two special covers issued on 50th death anniversary with ‘Hey Ram’ and ‘Sabko Sanmati De Bhgawan’ are a part of my treasure trove. Also, a few postage stamps issued by Republic of Gabonese with a portrait of Gandhi ji with folded hands and a unique special cover depicting a symbolic ‘lathi’ gifted to Gandhi at Ghorghat of Bihar in April 1934 is another unique piece of my collection,” says Kumar who has recently added a set of three postage stamps on ‘Swachh Bharat’ on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s Martyrdom Day.
For him, the collection is an ode to the most admired and simple personality of the world, “For me Mahatma has been an inspiration always. When I started collecting his memoirs I started feeling more connected to him and understood his way of living pretty well,” says Kumar.
SHAKTI NIGAM: SHOWCASING GANDHI THROUGH IKEBANA
To honour the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, Ikebana artist, Shakti Nigam created a calendar “Mohandas to Mahatma,” with photographs of Gandhi, tracing his journey throughout the years. The calendar also includes photographs of Ikebana, which is a Japanese art of flower arrangement done by Nigam as a tribute to Gandhi.
Through this calendar, Nigam highlights the main principles of Gandhi such as Satyagraha (truth) and Ahimsa (non-violence.) “I realised that people don’t have a lot of time to read books. That’s why I thought, let me make something that looks good and connects with them, especially the youth.”
Nigam has been practicing Ikebana for the past 20 years. The art includes arranging an odd number of flowers in a simple way. Throughout the calendar, white and red coloured flowers are used. The white flowers signify peace, truth and non-violence and the red flowers signify the celebration of Gandhi’s life.
PANKAJ GUPTA: SAYING IT WITH STROKES
Artist Pankaj Gupta uses painting as a way to spread Gandhi’s message to the masses. Rather than using a brush, he uses his fingers, knives and, toothpicks. One of his paintings depicts the salt march. It is done by fingers and tooth picks on a 6x4 paper. Another one of his paintings displays the concept of Ahimsa (non-violence) through the lens of capital punishment and asks the question: How many of the Gandhian principles do we really follow today?
Commenting on his source of inspiration, Gupta said, “I get my inspiration from society—whatever is happening around me, I try to look at it from an artist’s point of view. I believe that a painting can say more than words do. It makes an impact on people. My goal is to reach the people who are being affected by the wrongs happening in the society. Painting is a powerful weapon that helps us progress. Gandhi’s message transcends all. It is universal.”
(With inputs from
team HT City)