Tributes to Mahatma Gandhi through Gramaphone records

 Spinning Memories: Gramophone and the Music of Gandhi
 by
Akhilesh Jha 

 Venue :Amphitheatre of Sri Jamnalal Bajaj Memorial Library and Research Centre for Gandhian Studies Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan

January 30 2025

 

The pursuit of understanding Mahatma Gandhi and his influences remains an evolving journey. One of the lesser-explored yet deeply resonant aspects of his life is his connection with music. Music played a profound role in Gandhi’s personal and political life, shaping his spiritual discipline and public engagements. In turn, his movement left an indelible mark on Indian music. Gandhi’s prayer meetings, which featured devotional songs, revitalized many traditional hymns and instilled a sense of unity and discipline among his followers.

Ironically, the man who championed non-violence became a victim of violence. His assassination in 1948 left the nation in deep mourning, and the grief found expression through music. Eulogies for Gandhi were composed and recorded in multiple Indian languages—Bangla, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, and Urdu. Musicians across genres paid homage through special gramophone recordings, released on labels that bore Gandhi’s image, the spinning Charkha, the tricolor, or a combination of these symbols.

To explore this rich musical legacy, gramophone historian Akhilesh Jha conducted a special session on ‘Gandhi & Gramophone’ at Sevagram Ashram, Wardha, on 30th January 2025. The session focused on the eulogies recorded and released after Gandhi’s assassination.

Akhilesh Jha playing the gramophone 

The event began with Ramdhun, a devotional hymn sung by Dhananjay Bhattacharya, Radharani, and Sachin Gupta, originally released on Columbia Records. This was followed by compositions by Firoz Jullundhary on the Young India label, including Bapu Ka Fasana and Pyara Bapu, both sung by S. Gulraja. Shamshad Begum’s rendition of another Firoz Jullundhary composition moved the audience with the poignant lyrics:

"Hind ki deewar tha har gham ki aandhi ke liye,

Hind-wasi umar bhar royenge Gandhiji ke liye."

The tribute continued with Bapu Ki Amar Kahani, written by Rajendra Krishan, composed by Husnlal Bhagatram, and sung by Mohammed Rafi. Tamil audiences were deeply touched by two Gandhi memorial records, one by M.S. Subbulakshmi and the other by D.K. Pattammal—both ardent Gandhians whose music he had cherished.

For the Marathi-speaking audience, the HMV release Bapuni Pranjyoti, written by Kavi Manmoha and soulfully sung by G.J. Watwe of Pune, was a deeply emotional moment. This was followed by Bapuni Bidayi, a Gujarati composition sung by Shantilal B. Shah.

A highlight of the session was the playing of two gramophone dramas released in album form—Balidan on His Master’s Voice and Ahimsa Ka Avatar on Columbia. Balidan presented a narrative in which Gandhi’s death was depicted as a divine sacrifice for India’s peace. A segment from the Tamil gramophone drama The Immortal Gandhi, presented by M.M. Dandapani Desigar, was also featured.

Among the final renditions was Gandhiji Ki Yaad Mein, composed by B.M. Sharma and sung by K.C. Dey, perfectly capturing the somber mood of the day. Several Bangla eulogies by Sachin Gupta and Jaganmoy Mitra further enriched the tribute.

Beyond being a musical homage to Gandhi’s martyrdom, the ‘Gandhi & Gramophone’ session provided younger audiences with a unique perspective on the role of music in India’s freedom struggle—an aspect often overlooked in mainstream historical narratives. The audience actively engaged in the session, even trying their hands at playing the gramophone.

A particularly exciting outcome of this event was the proposal to develop a Gramophone Archives at the Sri Jamnalal Bajaj Memorial Library and Research Centre for Gandhian Studies at Sevagram Ashram, with Akhilesh Jha pledging his full support.

The Gramophone sessions, held annually at Wardha Ashram on 2nd October and 30th January, continue to attract growing interest. In a previous session on 2nd October 2024, Akhilesh Jha had focused on recordings of Gandhi’s own voice on gramophone records.

This novel approach to understanding Gandhi through music and gramophone recordings adds a new dimension to his legacy, deepening public engagement with his life, ideas, and contributions to the world.

Akhilesh Jha presenting a Gramophone record to Sevagram Ashram: Vijay Tambe Secretary of the Ashram and Ramesh Oza receiving the same