Gandhi’s Portrayal in the World

Justin McCreary

Mohandas Gandhi

• Mohandas Gandhi was born in the seaside town of Porbandar.

• Located in Northwestern India, north of Mubai (Bombay).

• Gandhi learned basic ideas of nonviolence from Hinduism, and Jainism.

Mohandas Gandhi (cont.)

• As Gandhi grew older, his family suggested he study law in London.

• In the fall of 1888, Gandhi left for London.

• His wife Kasturbai and son, Harilal, stayed with his parents.

Mohandas Gandhi (cont.)

• As Gandhi studied in London, he became familiar with the Bible of the Christian faith.

• Gandhi was particularly fascinated by Jesus’ call to forgiveness and nonviolence.

Mohandas Gandhi (cont.)• In London,

Gandhi first read the Bhagavad-Gita, the wisdom of Hinduism.

• From this he took its ideal of the active but selfless human being.

• Gandhi obtained his law degree in 1891, then returned to India.

• Accepted an offer in South Africa.

Mohandas Gandhi (cont.)• In South Africa, Gandhi

experienced racial segregation.

• Legal codes that favored Europeans.

• Began to employ strikes and marches to make his goals heard.

• He encouraged Indians to spin their own cloth.

• Renounce British titles of nobility.

• Dedicated his life towards helping India seek independence from Britain.

• Arrested constantly for his actions.

Gandhi and Nonviolence• Throughout this time in

Gandhi’s life he was imprisoned repeatedly by the British. Despite this, Gandhi insisted that his followers continued to remain nonviolent.

• For Gandhi, ahimsa (nonviolence) was a fundamental part of his teachings. Gandhi believed that nonviolence gave a great moral power to its followers, as well as possibly sway the thoughts and actions of those who were viewed as cruel, thoughtless, and violent.

Gandhi and Nonviolence• Gandhi named this

power satyagraha (“reality force” or “holding onto truth”).

• Gandhi made use of every nonviolent technique imaginable.

• These techniques included marches, hunger strikes, and demonstrations.

The Salt March• One of the most recognized of

Gandhi’s nonviolent protests was the Salt March of 1930.

• During this period of time all the salt that was eaten in India was taxed by the British. Also, the British made it illegal to possess any salt that was not purchased from their government monopoly.

• Gandhi led a march to the ocean that lasted three weeks, and spanned over 250 miles. Upon reaching the sea, Gandhi and those who had followed him collected the natural salt left on the beach by the waves-thus breaking the law.

Turning Point

• Seashore communities throughout India began to do the same.

• Many, including Gandhi, were arrested.

• This march became the turning point of the Indian independence movement.

Title• The British

government was weakened.

• British forces finally agreed to leave India in 1947.

• Gandhi recognized for his influence in this.

• Writer Rabindranath Tagore called Gandhi Mahatma(“great spirit”).

• Eventually, this became Gandhi's title.

Mahatma Gandhi• “Gandhi believed so much in loving tolerance

that he hoped it could keep a newly independent India free of religious battles”(Molloy, 112).

• Unfortunately, fear and tension are quite common between religious faiths.

• Muslim leaders feared oppression from the Hindu majority.

• Worked to create the new separate Muslim state of Pakistan.

• As a result of this, some Hindu militants wished for revenge.

Gandhi’s End

• In a fit of rage, one of the Hindu militants shot and killed Gandhi in 1948.

• The last words of Mahatma Gandhi were Ram, Ram (“God”, “God”).

Gandhi’s Example• Even after death,

Gandhi’s example spread across the globe.

• Gandhi's ideology influenced Martin Luther King Jr.

• Used in protests against racial segregation in the U.S.

Gandhi’s Portrayal

• Mahatma Gandhi has been portrayed, both comically and seriously, in popular culture.

• In the humorous cases it is either a comical portrayal of him, his habits, or reference to him.

• In more serious cases, It is a portrayal that shows respect for Mahatma Gandhi.

Bruce Almighty

• God: “I wanted to explain things to you better, but you left so quickly that I never got the chance.”

• Bruce: “That thing with the seven fingers kind of freaked me out.”

• God: “(laughs) I did the same thing to Gandhi once, he didn’t eat for three weeks.”

Clone High

• In this show, one of the main characters is a clone of Mahatma Gandhi.

• Unlike the real Gandhi, this character is nothing more than a party animal.

• This character caused a great deal of controversy in the Indian community.

Time Squad: “Repeat Offender”• In this children’s cartoon, the

characters go back in time to fix history due to the decaying of the timeline.

• In one episode, they have arrested Blackbeard for choosing too be environmentally friendly rather than a pirate, and Mahatma Gandhi for wanting to take up a career in tap dancing rather than leading the Indian freedom struggle.

• Blackbeard: “Uh, excuse me mister Gandhi, would you not flush the toilet so much. That wastes a lot of water.” Gandhi: “Oh, you don’t like it when I flush the toilet? Well how about this? And this? And this?” Sounds of constant flushing are heard. Blackbeard: “No, stop that, stop, STOP!!!”

Gandhi• Gandhi (1982) is a

biographical film about Mohandas ("Mahatma") Gandhi.

• This is considered to be the most acclaimed tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s life.

• Fairly accurate in terms of Gandhi’s life and the Indian struggle for independence.

• In AFI’s “100 Years…100 Heroes and Villains” Gandhi is ranked at #21 for Heroes.

Lage Raho Munna Bhai• Lage Raho Munna Bhai

(English: Carry on Munna Bhai) is a 2006 Indian musical comedy film.

• Munna Bhai begins to see the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi.

• Through his interactions with the image of Gandhi, he begins to practice what he calls Gandhigiri.

• Lage Raho Munna Bhai has had a strong cultural impact in India.

• Popularized Gandhism.

Conclusion• Gandhi greatly influenced the world in his

lifetime.• He showed that one can fight their enemies

without ever laying a finger on them.• His example influenced many recognized people

over the years.• Most recognized being Martin Luther King Jr.• Many portrayals show respect, some choose to

mock him.• “An eye for and eye only makes the whole

world blind.”

Questionnaire

• What was Gandhi’s title?

• What nonviolent event is he most known for?

• How did he die?

• Who is recognized for following in Gandhi’s footsteps?

• Name one of the media portrayals from this presentation.

Bibliography

• Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World’s Religions Tradition, Challenge, and Change. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1999. pp. 111-113.