from here & there - Rare portrayal of the Mahatma

In a rare attempt, Karnataka Shilpakala Academy, Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust, Arasikere and Karnataka Gandhi  Smaraka Nidhi, Bengaluru collaboratively organised a state level sculpture workshop and designed a series of sculptures depicting the life of Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi.

The unique sculpture park is located near Kasturba Gandhi Mission School in Arasikere, Hassan district. A team of 30 artists led by sculptor Kashinath, under the guidance of Y Kumar of Shilpakala Academy, has modelled these sculptures. Scenes depicting different events and moments of the couple’s life like Dandi March, Kasturba spinning cotton on the charkha, Kasturba with her grandchildren, Gandhi with Manu and Abha and Gandhi toiling with farmers and common people can be seen here. There are also two huge sculptures of Gandhi and Buddha in a meditation posture.

“We took about 10 days to complete these structures. They are mainly made of cement and iron. The sculptures will last for about 200 years,” says Kashinath. Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust initiated its activities in Arasikere in 1947 in an area of 85 acres. Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes are also preserved here.