Gandhi’s Portrayal in the World

1. Gandhi’s Portrayal in the World Team Maloney WMHS

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Gandhi and Nonviolence • Gandhi was imprisoned repeatedly by the British. • Insisted that his followers remain nonviolent. • Ahimsa (nonviolence) was a fundamental part of his teachings. • Believed nonviolence gave great moral power to its followers.

8. 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.

9. The Salt March • The Salt March of 1930. • Most recognized of Gandhi’s nonviolent protests. • All the salt in India was taxed by the British. • Illegal to possess salt not purchased from government. • Gandhi led a march to the ocean. • Gandhi and his followers collected the natural salt left on the beach by waves. • Thus breaking the law.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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”).

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.”

17. 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.”

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.”

22. 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.

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