Inauguration of Exhibition of Portraits of Mahatma Gandhi

Susheel Kumar Gotla, an artist fromHyderabad presented ten portraitpaintings of Mahatma Gandhi depicting different moods to Dr.Siby K Joseph, Director, Sri Jamanlal Bajaj Memorial Library and Research Centre for Gandhian Studies, Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan, Wardha in the administrative office of the Centre on July 14,2023.While accepting the portraits the director thanked the artist for his novel effort to disseminate Gandhi through the medium of art. He informed that these portraits will be showcased at the Library and Research Centre which organizes various courses of studies and hosts national and international events.

Dr.Sudharshan Iyengar honouring the artist

Exhibition of Portraits of Mahatma Gandhi

Participants viewing the portraits

Dr.Siby K. Joseph introducing the artist

An exhibition of his paintings was organized at the Seminar hall of the Centre in the evening. Dr.Siby K. Joseph succinctly explained the brief background of the artist

who had undergone International fellowship program on Peace and Nonviolence organized by Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan Wardha in association with MGM University Aurangabad, Sabarmati Ashram Ahmedabad and Gujarat Vidyapith. During this fellowship programme Susheel made a sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi. After obtaining his fellowship program in May 2023 Susheel decided to give tributes to Mahatma Gandhi by spending 40 to 50 days to prepare his paintings to inspire youth.

Dr.Sudharshan Iyengar, former Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith was the guest of honour at the inaugural function of exhibition of portraits. He honoured the artist by presenting a shawl as token of appreciation. Shri Namdeo Dhole of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan also joined him in honouring the artist. Susheel Kumar Gotla explained his artistic journey which began at a tender age of 8 . "I started to paint and sculpt with whatever leftover material at home".

Susheel Kumar Gotla explaining his artistic journey

The artist briefly explained his artist pursuit which was a never ending love story. At the age of 30 his elder sister encouraged him to join a fine arts course in 2015. He completed his Short term fine arts course from Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and fine arts University Hyderabad. He was working International schools as a sports administrator . During the pandemic he got ample time for his artistic pursuits.

Mahatma Gandhi was one of his fascinations and he sculpted the desktop figurative sculpture of Gandhi and shared the picture with Tushar Gandhi, the great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. Tushar, impressed with his artistic skill, invited him to his Mumbai residence. Susheel gifted the sculpture of Bapu to Tushar Gandhi. It was the beginning of his long journey of Gandhi sculptures and paintings.Then he joined the International fellowship of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan. After award of the fellowship in the month of May he resigned from his job as a sports administrator to complete these paintings.

Dr.Sudharshan Iyengar highly appreciated the artist efforts and stated that his journey should continue.Shri Siddeshwar Umarkar, Office Secretary of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan, proposed a vote of thanks to all participants and resource persons who participated in the inaugural function of the exhibition. This programme was organized by the Centre mainly for youngsters from different parts of the country who were present on the ocassion. The Director expressed his gratitude to

Prof. Josukutty C A, Director, Survey Research Centre, Department of Political Science, University of Kerala Thiruvanthapuram , Kerala for his kind support in the execution of the project. Also to Ramssena , a Research Scholar from Gandhigram Rural Institute, Didigul who made a short video for Sevagram Studio.