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These Rare Photographs Offer Intimate Glimpses Of Mahatma Gandhi In His Last Decade

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Mahatma Gandhi at Birla house, Bombay, August 1942

We are all familiar with the image of a smiling Mahatma Gandhi on our bank notes. Yet, this picture of him laughing with an unseen person while sitting on his bed at Birla House in Bombay in August 1942 offers the viewer a rare intimacy. It is part of a series of photographs of Gandhi in the last decade of his life, taken by his grand-nephew Kanu, which portray the leader from a personal rather than an iconic perspective.

Kanu Gandhi was born to Mahatma Gandhi's nephew Narandas and his wife Jamuna in 1917. Two years after his birth, the family moved to Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram, where Kanu spent his childhood. Though he wanted to be a doctor, he was persuaded by his father to join Mahatma Gandhi's personal staff at Sevagram, his ashram in Wardha, in 1936.

Over time, Kanu developed an interest in photography, possibly because of his meetings with journalists who visited Gandhi and presented him with photographs. When he requested Mahatma Gandhi for permission to photograph him and the ashram, he was turned down at first, being told that there were not enough funds. Later though, Gandhi asked his friend and associate, the industrialist Ghanshyam Das Birla, to give Kanu 100 to buy a Rolliflex camera and his first roll of film.

Gandhi famously allowed Kanu to photograph him only under three conditions — that he wouldn't use a flash, ask him to pose or ask the ashram for funds. Eventually, Kanu managed to continue his hobby with the help of a monthly stipend from one of Gandhi's supporters and by selling photographs to newspapers.

Between 1936 and 1948, Kanu followed and photographed Gandhi's journeys across India. The resulting images taken by Kanu show Gandhi in a candid light, quite unlike the official photographs of him leading marches, attending meetings and talking to other political leaders. In contrast, Kanu focused on the quiet, everyday moments in his grand-uncle's busy life, giving us glimpses of the person behind the leader.

After Gandhi's death, Kanu continued travelling around India to promote khadi and handicrafts. He continued with photography, but his pictures of Gandhi gradually faded into obscurity.

The photographs were recently restored and exhibited in Delhi and Mumbai by the Photoink gallery and the Estate of Kanu Gandhi. Here is a selection of pictures from the collection.

Mahatma Gandhi collecting donations for the Harijan Fund during his train journey to Bengal, Assam and South India, November 1945 - January 1946.
The Estate of Kanu Gandhi and PHOTOINK
Mahatma Gandhi collecting donations for the Harijan Fund during his train journey to Bengal, Assam and South India, November 1945 - January 1946.
Mahatma Gandhi during his train journey to Bengal, Assam and South India, November 1945 - January 1946.
The Estate of Kanu Gandhi and PHOTOINK
Mahatma Gandhi during his train journey to Bengal, Assam and South India, November 1945 - January 1946.
Mahatma Gandhi in the riot affected areas of Noakhali, East Bengal, 1946.
The Estate of Kanu Gandhi and PHOTOINK
Mahatma Gandhi in the riot affected areas of Noakhali, East Bengal, 1946.
Mahatma Gandhi in front of his office hut, Sevagram Ashram, 1940.
The Estate of Kanu Gandhi and PHOTOINK
Mahatma Gandhi in front of his office hut, Sevagram Ashram, 1940.
Mahatma Gandhi at Juhu beach, Bombay, June 1944.
The Estate of Kanu Gandhi and PHOTOINK
Mahatma Gandhi at Juhu beach, Bombay, June 1944.
Mahatma Gandhi at a mass meeting, Bengal, 1945.
The Estate of Kanu Gandhi and PHOTOINK
Mahatma Gandhi at a mass meeting, Bengal, 1945.
Mahatma Gandhi leaving Jinnah's bungalow, Bombay, September 1944.
The Estate of Kanu Gandhi and PHOTOINK
Mahatma Gandhi leaving Jinnah's bungalow, Bombay, September 1944.
Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore at Shantiniketan, Bengal, February 1940.
The Estate of Kanu Gandhi and PHOTOINK
Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore at Shantiniketan, Bengal, February 1940.
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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.