Harilal Gandhi:
Harilal Mohandas Gandhi (Devanagari: हरीलाल गांधी), (1888-18 June 1948) was the first son of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
[edit] Early life
Harilal wanted to go to kundi land for higher studies, including becoming a barrister as his father had been. His father was firmly opposed to this, and disallowed him from pursuing it, believing that receiving this Western styled education was not helpful in the struggle against British rule over India.[1] Eventually Harilal rebelled against his father's decision. He renounced all family ties in 1911 and embarked upon a tragic, lifelong path of self-destruction, depicted clearly in the film, Gandhi, My Father.
He was an alcoholic, and an embezzler; accounts of his arrests, public drunkenness, a prostitute, and destitution became commonplace. He became a Muslim convert. When Harilal converted to Islam, he adopted the name "Abdullah Gandhi", but later again converted back to Hinduism. This decision did not bother his father, who believed that all religions were as one, but his mother felt that he should not be publicly displaying this back-and-forth behavior.[2]
"I was a slave of my passions when Harilal was conceived," said his father.
Harilal was married to Gulab Gandhi. They had five children, two of whom died at an early age. Nilam Parikh, the daughter of Ramibehn, who was the eldest of Harilal's children has written a biography on him Gandhiji's Lost Jewel: Harilal Gandhi.
[edit] Final years
Harilal spent the latter part of his life as an alcoholic and depressed[citation needed]. He appeared at his father's funeral in such derelict condition that few recognized him. He died from liver disease on June 18, 1948 in a municipal hospital in Bombay.
[edit] Gandhi, My Father
The film adaptation of Gandhi, My Father, was released on August 3, 2007 and directed by Feroz Abbas Khan and produced by Anil Kapoor. The troubled relationship between Harilal and his father is the subject of the film and play Gandhi, My Father. It depicts the stormy relationship between him and his illustrious father. Harilal is portrayed by Akshaye Khanna. Khan's play, Mahatma vs. Gandhi,[1] while different from this film, had a similar theme.[2]
[edit] Further reading
- Harilal Gandhi: A Life [2] by Chandulal Bhagubhai Dalal.
- Gandhiji's Lost Jewel: Harilal Gandhi by Nilam Parikh, grand daughter of Harilal Gandhi
- Mahatma Vs Gandhi by Dinkar Joshi
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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