30 January,2010 08:06 AM IST | | Fiona Fernandez
From letters handwritten to world leaders, to war service medals and fascinating footnotes from the Mahatma's life, Mani Bhavan remains a seamless treasure trove. And what better time than January 30, his 62nd death anniversary, for you to discover it
Nineteen, Laburnum Road. This address will not lead you to a quaint borough in Lancashire, England. It's actually home to one of Mumbai's last surviving landmarks from a sepia-toned era. Today, it remains in public memory, thanks to it being a permanent fixture on every "typical" Mumbai tour itinerary. Mani Bhavanu00a0-- the city's proud link with the Mahatma was dedicated as a memorial and museum in 1955.
Displays with Mahatma Gandhi's correspondence to world leaders
and dignitaries.
Mani Bhavan isn't difficult to locateu00a0-- it's just off the busy Gamdevi area, in a sylvan lane, dotted with a few surviving Indian laburnum trees that lend their name to this street. Mani Bhavan's tryst with the Mahatma began in 1917 and the association continued till 1934. Today, the two-storied structure has been converted into a museum and a study centre, open to the public. It's a huge draw for tourists. Non-Indian entries occupy more space within the pages of its visitor's book.
For 17 years, Mani Bhavan was the Mahatma's headquarters in Mumbai. Revashankar Jagjeevan Jhaveri, his close friend and associate, who hosted him whenever the leader visited the city, owned the building. It was from here that Gandhiji initiated the Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act, Civil Disobedience, Satyagraha, Swadeshi, Khadi and Khilafat Movements. In 1919, he took over Young India (English) and Nava Jeevan (Gujarati) weekly journals during his stay at Mani Bhavan.
Stepping into Mani Bhavan's unassuming entrance fails to give you the feeling of the sheer volume of Gandhian history that hides in every nook and corner. Even the walls along the staircase display photographs from his life. Prominent leaders of India's freedom struggle greet every visitor through framed photographs as you take the first few steps inside.
The open-to-public library boasts of over 50,000 titles, periodicals, and journals in the Reference and Lending sections. It also stocks books read and written by Gandhiji, and other titles about Gandhian thoughts and India's freedom struggle. For those keen on experiencing a visual feel of the Mahatma's life and times, there's an auditorium that screens films and documentaries; you can listen to his speeches, on request.
Apart from Gandhiji's room on the second floor where his books, writing table and charkha are displayed, what's particularly interesting are belongings and models from Gandhiji's birth place, Sabarmati Ashram, Sevagram Kutir, Phoenix Ashram in South Africa and his prison cell. Don't miss his Boer War medal and service medal (this dates back to 1906), jail bowl and chappals.
Adjoining Gandhiji's room is a section, where mini-figures are exhibited as section-wise tableaux showcasing important events from his life. These 28 sections are created by Susheela Gokhale Patil and make for an eye-catching crash course in history; certainly not reserved for school kids on a field trip.
On either side of the tableaux exhibit room are galleries that highlight the Mahatma's tireless work. Look out for the handwritten letters to personalities from across the world, heads of state including those to German dictator Adolf Hitler and US President Theodore Roosevelt. Another remarkable display is the Mahatma's autograph in major Indian languages.
The terrace of Mani Bhavan is where Gandhiji was arrested on January 4, 1932. In fact, he slept and prayed on this terrace towards the later part of his time in Mumbai. If you are a collector buff, there's enough memorabilia at the sales counteru00a0-- from stamps issued by countries like Mauritius and Congo, honouring the Mahatma, to printed literature.
Call it a museum, a memorial, a landmark or a slice of priceless historyu00a0-- Mani Bhavan fits the bill for those who dig their history.
Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya, 19, Laburnum Road, Gamdevi;
Call: 23805864. LOG ON: www.gandhi-manibhavan.org.
