Transcript Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi’s Portrayal in the
World
Team Maloney
WMHS
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 BhagavadGita, 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.
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.
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
• 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.
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.
• 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.
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.”
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.”
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.
• 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.