Harilal Gandhi
| Harilal Gandhi | |
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 Harilal Gandhi, pictured sometime between 1915 and 1932. |
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| Born | 1888 |
| Died | 18 June 1948 Bombay, Union of India |
| Religion | Hindu Islam (briefly) |
| Spouse | Gulab Gandhi |
| Children | five children |
| Parents | Father: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Mother: Kasturba Gandhi |
Harilal Mohandas Gandhi (Devanagari: हरीलाल गांधी), (1888 – 18 June 1948) was the first son of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
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[edit] Early life
Harilal wanted to go to England for higher studies and hoped to become a barrister as his father had once been. His father firmly opposed this, believing that a Western-style education would not be helpful in the struggle against British rule over India.[1] Eventually rebelling against his father's decision, in 1911 Harilal renounced all family ties.
He converted to Islam but later reverted back to Hinduism. That did not bother his father, who believed that all religions were to be respected. His mother felt he should not be publicly displaying this back-and-forth type of behavior.[1]
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, titled Gandhiji's Lost Jewel: Harilal Gandhi.
He appeared at his father's funeral in such derelict condition that few recognized him. He died from liver disease on 18 June 1948 in a municipal hospital in Bombay, Union of India.[2]
[edit] Gandhi, My Father
The troubled relationship between Harilal and his father is the subject of the film and play Gandhi, My Father. The film adaptation was released on 3 August 2007 and directed by Feroz Abbas Khan and produced by Anil Kapoor. It centres on their stormy relationship. Harilal is portrayed by Akshaye Khanna. Khan's play, Mahatma vs. Gandhi,[3] while different from this film, had a similar theme. There is also a Marathi play named Gandhi virudh Gandhi, in which Atul Kulkarni features.
[edit] Further reading
- Harilal Gandhi: A Life [4] 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
- Chatterji, Shoma A. In the name of the father. Deccan Herald, 22 July 2007.
- Gandhi Family Tree
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