GANDHI MAHATMA: (1869-1948)

GANDHI MAHATMA: (1869-1948) Indian political and spiritual leader during the Indian independence movement. A fine, rare vintage signed sepia 6 x 4.5 photograph of Gandhi, the iconic image depicting him seated outdoors, cross-legged in a full-length pose on a rug, wearing his familiar white loin cloth (dhoti) and with a Khadi shawl over his shoulders and arms, accompanied by a number of his disciples who are seated in the immediate background. Photograph by Balvant of Raipur and Ahmedabad, and with his typescript credit and caption ‘Mahatmaji’s latest picture in his characteristic Budhist (sic) posture of sitting’ to the verso. Further dated 13th May 1931 in blue indelible pencil to the verso, which also features the blue ink signature of V. Kalyanam, Gandhi’s personal secretary. Signed (‘M K Gandhi’) by Gandhi in blue fountain pen ink with his name alone to a light area at the base of the image. Signed photographs of Gandhi have always been rare and remain highly desirable. Some very light, minimal age wear and with a couple of very minor, insignificant surface creases. VG

On 15th May 1931, just a matter of days after the present photograph was taken, Gandhi announced that he would attend the second Round Table Conference on Indian independence in London. In all, three Round Table Conferences would be held between 1930-32, with Gandhi only attending the second. Indeed, in December 1929 Gandhi had refused to be present at the London meetings and, in accordance with the law, the Viceroy arrested Gandhi and sent him to prison. However, Gandhi’s presence would prove vital to the success of the peace conferences, and he was the only representative of the Indian National Congress at the second Round Table conference which opened at the St. James Palace in London on 7th September 1931.

Kalyanam (1922-2021) Indian freedom fighter who served as Mahatma Gandhi’s personal secretary during the last few years of Gandhi’s life (1943-48). Kalyanam was standing just behind Gandhi when the latter was shot and was the first to inform Jawaharlal Nehru and Vallabhbhai Patel of Gandhi’s death. The presence of Kalyanam’s signature on the present photograph indicates that it originated from his personal archives.