Mahatma Gandhi’s life partner and mentor Kasturba’s death anniversary was celebrated at Gujarat Vidyapith on Friday Priya Adhyaru-Majithia describes its appeal on the viewers.
She has always been on periphery. Kasturba Gandhi (1869 -1944) one of the most significant Indian freedom fighter, life partner of Mahatma Gandhi – who has played a pivotal role into the transformation of Mohandas Gandhi into Mahatma Gandhi – has never been focused as a protagonist in the main stream literature or history.
In a true attempt to pay her tribute, Kasturba’s 69th death anniversary was celebrated at Gujarat Vidyapith by a book launch and performance of play Kasturba. The play is written by Narayan Desai, Gandhi scholar and veteran writer, son of Mahadev Desai – close most associate of Gandhiji. This is the first-of-its kind effort to analysis and document
Kasturba’s life and ideology in form of a drama.
Gujarat Vidhyapith’s Gandhi Theatre and Jaswant Thakore Memorial Foundation have joined their hands to come out with a series of performances of this play. “This play written in Gujarati will be soon translated into Hindi and English so it reaches to wider audience,” said Aditi Desai, the prime initiator of this play and founder of the foundation.
“This is a first play I have penned down on Kasturba,” said Narayan Desai. “This play notes the progression of Kasturba’s character and role of mentor she played in Gandhiji’s life. I have dedicated this book to my mother as I see striking similarities in life, deeds and ideology of Kasturba with my mother,” he added.
The final script of the play is the twelfth draft that has emerged after constant alterations to make it more stage-able. “I learnt from Aditi Desai, who inspired me to write the play, how to make this play more stage-able,” said Narayan Desai, humbly.
Gandhi, the living icon of ideal like ahimsa (non-violence) and satyagraha (non-violent resistance) has admitted more than once that he learned the technique of satyagraha from Kasturba. Desai said that Kasturba lived a life full of love, devotion, sacrifice and silence for Gandhi. “It was her strength that assisted Gandhiji to successfully live through the observance of celibacy,” he added.
Kasturba belonged to a trader family dealing in food grains and cotton textiles from Saurahstra. In 1882 she was married off at the age of 13 to younger son -Mohandas – of the dewan of Porbander Karamchand Gandhi. Never educated formally, she learnt to read and speak language from Mohandas – her husband.
“While Gandhiji first encountered the experience of discrimination while they lived in Durban, South Africa, it was Kasturba who instilled the thought and questioned the ill-treatment,” said Aditi Desai, the initiator of this play who approached Narayan Desai about two years ago for writing a play having Kasturba as a central character.
After Gandhi set up the satyagrahashram in Sabarmati, Kastur ba was the chief assistant in running the ashram. Kasturba lived a life of a true soul mate of Gandhi. She breathed her last on 22 February 1944 having Gandhiji by her side.
Scholars who brought Kasturba back to life on stage
Aditi Desai, social activist and founder of Jaswant Thakore Memorial Foundation
About four years ago I approached many writers to pen down a drama on Kasturba. Before two-years I met Narayan Desai at a seminar organised by Gujarati Sahitya Parishad and then and there he agreed to make an effort. After detailed research work of one and half years, finally this play happened.
Narayan Desai – writer of the play
This play depicts the transformation of Kasturben into Kasturba which also led Mohandas transform into Mahatma Gandhi. This play captures a rare story of transformation.
Kalpana Gagdekar – lead actress playing Kasturba
Kasturba is the reason that made Gandhi a Mahatma. This play artistically communicates the valour, strength, devotion, commitment and devotion that Kastur Ba lived with. She was the one who helped Gandhi preserve his vow of celibacy.
Abhinay Bankar – lead actor playing Gandhji
I was always in awe of Gandhiji. I felt little and thought I would not be able to do this role. However, reading the script I realised that if I believed into Gandhiji’s ideology I would be able to perform this role. The most interesting element in this play is I learnt how Kasturb Ba changed Gandhiji from a dominating and possessive husband into a Mahatma
Dhiruben Patel, eminent writer and co-script writer of the play
It was challenging to assist Narayan Desai to make a stage-able version of life story of Kastur Ba. It was a pleasant and valuable experience to work on this play which provides a rare insight into characters of both Gandhiji and Kastur Ba. I hope many viewers will enjoy this play frequently.
