Positive Power Dynamics

 

Three Pencil drawings dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of Democracy

By Susheel Kumar Gotla  
 

Susheel Kumar Gotla is  a Hyderabad based artist who uses his pencil or brush when he is moved by certain ideas. He is very much concerned about eroding the values of democracy. He said   “Over the past two months, there has been a cacophony of political noise emanating from various parties, with candidates engaging in mudslinging rather than addressing the issues faced by the less fortunate in our country.”  In the midst of all these he channelized his mind reflecting on Gandhi's vision of "swaraj" for his motherland. He feels that every citizen should reflect upon it. After casting his vote  in the morning  he returned home to immerse himself in his artistic passion.  He spent almost four hours creating three pencil portraits of Mahatma Gandhi.

 

 

 

 Democracy is an impossible thing until the power is shared by all, but let not democracy degenerate into mobocracy. Even a pariah, a labourer, who makes it possible for you to earn you living, will have his share in self-government.

M. K. Gandhi

Young India, 

1-12-1927

Whenever    the young artist  Susheel Kumar Gotla is  moved by  Mahama Gandhi's message  he  channelizes    those  emotions positively  through  the medium of  art.  The result was three drawings of Mahatma with mixed emotions. While drawing these he was constantly reminded of Gandhi’s vision of participatory democracy rooted in high human values such as ethics, morality, peace, love, non violence, justice and brotherhood among fellow citizens. Dr. Siby K. Joseph  Director of   Library and Research Centre of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan  appreciated his effort to use these drawings to spread the message of  Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of democracy .

 

 

 

 

 Democracy disciplined and enlightened is the finest thing in the world. A democracy prejudiced, ignorant, superstitious, will land itself in chaos and may be self-destroyed.

M. K. Gandhi

Young India, 30-7-1931

Evolution of democracy is not possible if we are not prepared to hear the other side. We shut the doors of reason when we refuse to listen to our opponents or, having listened, make fun of them. If intolerance becomes a habit, we run the risk of mission the truth.

 

 M. K. Gandhi

Harijan 

31-5-1942