In keeping with the theme of its film series, “Force of Family,” the West Windsor Arts Council presents a screening of “Gandhi: My Father,” a film from 2007, directed by Feroz Abbas Khan, based on the biography of Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi’s son by Chandulai Bhagubhai Dalai. The program, presented by the arts council with the support of the Indian American Civic Forum and the Friends of the West Windsor Library, will take place on Saturday, April 5, at 7 p.m. at the West Windsor Senior Center. Refreshments and discussion follow the film. There is a suggested contribution of $5 per person.##M:[more]##
The focus of the film is the relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and Harilal, his eldest son, which contrasts the strengths of Gandhi as a political and spiritual guide of independent India with his weaknesses as a parent. Filmed in both South Africa and multiple cities in India, the film follows the historic trajectory of Gandhi as he tackles the harsh injustices of the British colonial system and his son’s efforts to find and chart his own personal path.
The film reflects the universal elements of father-son relationships and the unyielding pressures when the father embodies the struggle for freedom and the aspirations of an entire people. Performers include Darshan Jariwalal as Gandhi and Akshaye Khanna as Harilal.
Ram Kolluri, pictured at right, a West Windsor resident for close to 25 years, leads the post film discussion. A passionate authority on the life and philosophy of Gandhi, Kolluri spent his early years in India. President of Global Investment Management, based in Alexander Park, West Windsor, Kolluri is also a trustee of the Indian American Civic Forum, a non-partisan, non-sectarian community service organization dedicated to promoting social responsibility and cross-cultural bridges.
Kolluri’s fascination with Gandhi began in the 1970s with the reading of Gandhi’s autobiography, “My Experiments with Truth.” “Gandhi viewed his body and psyche as objects of experimentation and pushed himself to the limit in politics and as a human being,” he says. “He climbed the moral equivalent of Mt. Everest — or at least died trying.”
Kolluri does not share the film’s negative perspective of Gandhi as a parent. “It is utter nonsense that Gandhi mistreated his son although he was a very rigid, stubborn man due to the exacting nature of his commitment,” he says. “Gandhi drove himself and everyone around him, and, consequently, there were those who could not abide by Gandhi’s grueling moral codes, including his son.”
Despite his disagreement with the premise of the film, Kolluri welcomes the additional attention to the life and contribution of Gandhi, which has ensued from screenings of the film.
Film Series: The Force of the Family, West Windsor Arts Council, West Windsor Senior Center, Clarksville Road, 609-919-1982. www.westwindsorarts.org. Screening of “Gandhi: My Father,” 2007, directed by Feroz Abbas Khan. Ram Kolluri, chair of the Indian American Civic Forum and a resident of West Windsor for 25 years, is the speaker. Refreshments. $5 donation. Saturday, April 5, 7 p.m.
