Children attend a previous workshop on Ahimsa silk hosted in the space; (right) B for Bapu. Pic Courtesy/Atul Dodiya Studio

Dodiya has created over 200 contemporary artworks featuring the Mahatma, of which 75 will be showcased this evening. “Firstly, I am an artist, not a sociologist, or a Gandhian scholar. My primary concern was to learn how I can illustrate Gandhi, not explain him. Scholars and writers have done that. My response to him was as a painter,” he explains. Above all, it was Gandhi’s teachings and genuine concern for fellow human beings that affected him.

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The venue also adds an interesting context to the talk. Hosted at the Khadi Gram Udyog Bhandar in Fort by INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), Mumbai chapter and MVIA (Mumbai Village Industries Association), it is part of an ongoing effort to transform the space. Katyayani Agarwal, convenor of the Mumbai chapter, shares, “It is a beautiful iconic structure. We saw the potential of developing it into a cultural space for events related to Gandhian principles.”

Atul Dodiya and Katyayani Agarwal

In November 2022, INTACH took on the project. On Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary on January 30 this year, the venue launched the project with its first session — a talk by Sudheendra Kulkarni and a performance by musician Shekhar Sen. Now, the trust is looking to develop a project report to build a long-term roadmap. “We have engaged senior conservation architect Kirtida Unwalla to outline the design and reimagine the consumer space, understand their psychology and place the khadi products accordingly.”

With noted Gandhian GG Parikh in attendance, the session offers an insight into the teachings of the man whose Hamletian shadow now asks pointed questions of a strife-riddled country.

On Today; 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm
At Khadi Gram Udyog Bhandar, Dr DN Road, Fort. 
Whatsapp 9820451446 to register