Gandhi’s Portrayal in the World

Justin McCreary

Synopsis

• Throughout this presentation there will be a look back at Gandhi’s life.

• Takes a look at Gandhi’s early years.• Gandhi’s transition in his early experiences with racial

segregation.• His early nonviolent techniques that would later be used

in India.• Looks at the aftermath of India’s freedom from Britain,

Gandhi’s death, and the influence he had on the world.• Gandhi’s many portrayals in the media.

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, as well as 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 at the age of 19.

• 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.

• After returning he chose to accept an offer in South Africa.

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

experienced the inequalities of racial segregation and legal codes that favored Europeans.

• Gandhi began to employ strikes and marches to make his goals heard.

• He encouraged Indians to spin their own cloth and renounce British titles of nobility.

• When Gandhi returned to India in 1915, Gandhi began dedicating his life towards helping India seek independence from Britain.

Gandhi and Nonviolence• Gandhi was

imprisoned repeatedly by the British.

• 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.

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.

• Gandhi argued that, “violence only begets further violence and brutalizes those who are violent, whereas nonviolence begets admiration, spiritual greatness, and ultimate freedom”(Molloy, 112).

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.

• The British made it illegal to possess any salt not purchased from their government.

• Gandhi led a march to the ocean that lasted three weeks, and spanned over 250 miles.

• Gandhi and his followers collected the natural salt left on the beach by waves.

• Thus breaking the law.

Turning Point

• Upon learning of this event, seashore communities all throughout India began to do the same.

• Thousands were imprisoned for this, including Gandhi.

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

Title

• The British government was weakened by both the Indian independence movement and World War II.

• British forces finally agreed to leave India in 1947.

• Realizing Gandhi’s greatness after his actions on the Great Salt March, the writer Rabindranath Tagore called him 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. • 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 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 was so powerful that is idea of satyagraha spread to other countries across the globe.

• Gandhi's ideology later influenced Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s, during his help to protest racial segregation in the United States.

• He “insisted that activists march peacefully and sit in restaurants quietly, without responding to threats or cruelty” (Molloy 113).

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.”

The Simpsons: “Hungry, Hungry Homer”

• Lisa: “You could do what Gandhi did.”

• Homer: “Lisa, I don’t see what fighting the British has to do with this.”

• Lisa: “What?!? No! I mean you could go on a hunger strike.”

• Homer: “Very well then, I’ll go on a hunger strike.”

Family Guy: “Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story”

• Stewie: “You know who was brave? Gandhi!”

• Cut to Gandhi on stage. Gandhi: “And the black people are always like ‘Hey Bitch!’ and the Indians, we do not call our women in such a way.”

• Audience member: “Boo! You suck.”

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.

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.

• As far as most biographical films go, this one is 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.

• In this film, a Mumbai (Bombay) underworld don, named Munna Bhai begins to see the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi.

• Through his interactions with the image of Gandhi, Munna Bhai 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• One of the most recognized being Martin Luther King Jr.• Though many portrayals show respect towards him,

some also choose to mock him.• One must never forget the message the Gandhi wanted

all of his followers to take to heart, “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.