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This story is from June 13, 2007
Ramchandra Gandhi wanted a debate on MSU painting row
Mumbai-based writer Prof Prabodh Parikh, a close friend of Ramchandra Gandhi, has revealed that the latter wanted a debate on controversial paintings at MSU.
AHMEDABAD: Ramchandra Gandhi celebrated his 70th birthday on June 9. It took close friends like Mumbai-based poet and writer Prof Prabodh Parikh by surprise to hear news about the demise of "Ramubhai", a spirited and healthy intellectual who never missed his morning walks and whom he met last week in Delhi for a "rewarding intellectual discussion".
Few know that Ramchandra had believed in a debate on the issue over Chandramohan's paintings at the MS University, Vadodara.
Parikh recalls, "Ramubhai believed in a well-informed debate on issues like Chandramohan. He condemned the manner of protest at the University, at the same time called for serious thought on the state of art in the country."
Intellectual, witty, always khadi-clad and spiritual, that's how Mahatma Gandhi's grandson, Ramchandra was known to his friends.
His social circle, however, seemed to be selective. Even noted Gandhians like Narayan Desai met him occasionally.
"The last time he came to Gujarat was some 15 years ago," Desai recalls. Chunibhai Vaidya, also a noted Ahmedabad-based Gandhian, says he did not know him at all.
"Unlike his brothers Rajmohan and Gopal Krishna, Ramchandra Gandhi must have liked to maintain a low profile," he said.
Among Gandhi's volume of works on philosophy, was the book he wrote following the Babri Masjid demolition titled 'Sita's Kitchen'.
He was also vocal about the Gujarat riots of 2002 where, says Parikh, like Narayan Desai, he held himself partly responsible for what happened in Gujarat.
"He had a pan-Asian perspective and felt deeply about conflict in Kashmir or Gujarat."
Married and separated a long time ago, Gandhi was half-Gujarati, half-Tamilian by virtue of his parentage. Son of Devdas Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi's son, and Lakshmi, daughter of C Rajagopalachari, Parikh believes that it was his mixed upbringing that enhanced his sensibility and sensitivity towards culture and society.
A proponent of Advaita and follower of Ramana Maharshi, he is survived by his daughter Dr Leela Gandhi, a scholar of English.
Parikh added that the India International Centre in New Delhi was Gandhi's regular haunt for the past two decades. "One can't say that he moved there to escape the heat."
Few know that Ramchandra had believed in a debate on the issue over Chandramohan's paintings at the MS University, Vadodara.
Parikh recalls, "Ramubhai believed in a well-informed debate on issues like Chandramohan. He condemned the manner of protest at the University, at the same time called for serious thought on the state of art in the country."
Intellectual, witty, always khadi-clad and spiritual, that's how Mahatma Gandhi's grandson, Ramchandra was known to his friends.
"He had the charm and generosity of his grandfather and an intellect of his own," Parikh says.
His social circle, however, seemed to be selective. Even noted Gandhians like Narayan Desai met him occasionally.
"The last time he came to Gujarat was some 15 years ago," Desai recalls. Chunibhai Vaidya, also a noted Ahmedabad-based Gandhian, says he did not know him at all.
"Unlike his brothers Rajmohan and Gopal Krishna, Ramchandra Gandhi must have liked to maintain a low profile," he said.
Among Gandhi's volume of works on philosophy, was the book he wrote following the Babri Masjid demolition titled 'Sita's Kitchen'.
He was also vocal about the Gujarat riots of 2002 where, says Parikh, like Narayan Desai, he held himself partly responsible for what happened in Gujarat.
"He had a pan-Asian perspective and felt deeply about conflict in Kashmir or Gujarat."
Married and separated a long time ago, Gandhi was half-Gujarati, half-Tamilian by virtue of his parentage. Son of Devdas Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi's son, and Lakshmi, daughter of C Rajagopalachari, Parikh believes that it was his mixed upbringing that enhanced his sensibility and sensitivity towards culture and society.
A proponent of Advaita and follower of Ramana Maharshi, he is survived by his daughter Dr Leela Gandhi, a scholar of English.
Parikh added that the India International Centre in New Delhi was Gandhi's regular haunt for the past two decades. "One can't say that he moved there to escape the heat."
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