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1
Kaliyuga Prahalatha: The Personification of Mahatma Gandhi in the
Seditious Literature of the Madras Presidency, 1920 – 1933
Dr.V.Venkatraman. Ph.D., D.Litt.,
Principal & Head,
Research Centre in History,
Rajapalayam Rajus' College,
Rajapalayam - 626 117.
Mohandas Karam Chand Gandhi, the name became very popular among the
Indians at the dawn of twentieth century. Gandhi, who was born to Kaba Gandhi and
Putlibai on 2nd October 1869 at Porbandur in Gujarat, completed his law studies in
England and accepted an offer from Dada Abdullah & Co., South Africa to practice his
legal profession in April 1893, where he stayed for twenty years. In South Africa, he
fought relentlessly for racial equality. Between 1906 and 1914, Gandhi organised
'Satyagraha' against the "Black Acts” of the Europeans in South Africa.
1
The Indian
Press reported the meaningful sacrifice of Gandhi to the Indians. In the meantime,
Gandhi published his first work entitled Indian Home Rule or Hind Swaraj in Marathi
in 1908. The Government of India took stern measures against the book under section
26 of the Indian Post - Office Act of 1898 in 1908.
2
Gandhi returned to India in January 1915, after completing his prison’s life in
South Africa. He founded the Sabarmathi Ashram at Sabarmathi on the outskirts of
Ahemadabad. Gandhi served his period of apprenticeship in the Indian National
Congress from 1915 to 1919. In the meantime, he tested his weapon of non-violence by
organising satyagraha movements in the urban centres like Champaran, Kheda and
Ahemadabad between 1917 and 1918. Gandhi became “Mahatma" only after these three
small satyagrahas. He organised an agitation against the Rowlatt Bills, which were
enacted by British Government with a view to punish the Indian nationalists. Gandhi
was arrested on 8th April 1919 which sparked off the nation wide protest. The arrest of
Gandhi, which led to an outrage at Jallianwala Bagh in Punjab on 13th April 1919.
3
Gandhi, the co-operator to the British became the non co-operator. Moved by the
Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy and the report of the Hunter Committee, he launched his Non
co-operation movement in 1920, which enlightened the rural masses for the national
cause. Gandhi was charged for inciting violence at Chouri-Chaura on 5th February 1922
and he was awarded a sentence of six years imprisonment. In 1924, he was released due
to his health conditions. Thereafter he dedicated himself with his constructive
movements. There was a mounting pressure from the young leaders of the Congress,
2
Gandhi moved the Complete Independence resolution at the Lahore Congress session in
December 1929 and launched the Civil Disobedience movement by breaking the Salt
law at Dandi on 6th April 1930. He was arrested on 4th May 1930 and taken to Yarvada
Jail in Poona.
4
The Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931 admitted him to participate in the Second Round
Table Conference held in London between November and December 1931. He returned
to India with empty handed. On 3rd January 1932, he resumed the Civil Disobedience
Campaign and was arrested on 4th January 1932. Gandhi observed "fast unto death
against the Communal Award which was intended to separate the Harijans from the
Hindus. The Indian Press of the said period published a series of articles on the life
sketch of Gandhi and his Satyagraha movements. The press and political literature of
Madras Presidency extended their whole hearted support to the Gandhian struggle.
5
The
Sudandira Sangu and the Gandhi became the torch bearers of the Gandhian
Movements of this Presidency. Sudandira Sangu of Madras published the cartoons,
6
which depicted the Gandhian endeavors.
II
The Government of Madras invoked the draconian press laws such as the Indian
Press Act of 1910, the Indian Press Ordinances of 1930; the Indian Press (Emergency
Powers) Act of 1931; the Unauthorised News Sheets Ordinances of 1932 and the
Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1932 to curb the anti-British tone of the Indian Press.
Apart from these press laws, the Government of Madras applied sections 124A and
153A of Indian Penal Code, 1870 and Section 99A of Criminal Procedure Code of 1898
frequently on the political literature from 1923 to 1929. The biographical sketches of
the prominent national leaders fell victims to these press laws. Among them, the
biographies of Mahatma Gandhi published in Tamil and Telugu became the targets of
attack of the Government of Madras Presidency. They regarded these political literature
as seditious and highly anti- British.
7
III
The Seditious Biographies of Gandhi
Gandhi's name evokes the highest and noblest ideas of human conduct and
thought namely truth, self-sacrifice, self-abnegation, universal love and brotherhood,
non-violence, peace, tolerance, equality and liberty. In the history of Indian Freedom
Movement, the period between 1920 and 1947 is called as the 'Gandhian Era'. Many
biographies which dealt with the life of Gandhi were proscribed during this period.
Among them, twelve works in praise of Gandhi were proscribed by the Government of
Madras. Since this study deals with proscribed political literature, the contents of these
3
twelve works which were banned by the government between 1920 and 1933 are taken
up for discussion.
A book in Telugu entitled Kotthayugham (The New Era or the Rise of Gandhi)
written by Ayyadevara Kaleswara Rao was published in 1921.
8
In the preface to the
book, the author praised the noble qualities of Gandhi. The story of the play revolved
around five characters created by the author such as Deshabakta, Deshasavaka,
Aravindasamy, Desyamurthi and Swechcha Rao.
In one of the scenes, there was a conversation between a patriot and a pro-British
about the present unwealthy condition of Indians due to the wrong administration of the
British. In another scene, Tilak on his death bed called Gandhi and requested him to
carry on the National struggle vigorously. In turn, Gandhi called Tilak as Rama and
praised him as the slayer of the cruel Ravana namely the British bureaucracy. In another
scene of the drama, Lord Krishna who appeared before Gandhi and reminded him of his
duties to the Panchali namely the helpless women of India.
9
In another scene, Prophet
Mohammed was seen telling Gandhi that the Westeners dishonoured the Muslim
religion and Gandhi should put an end to their adverse activities by means of Ahimsa.
Another character in the play made up as Jesus Christ exhorted Gandhi to reform
the Westerners who were egoists. In the last scene of the drama, Gandhi was shown as
the true successor of Tilak. The nature of the play no doubt attracted the attention of the
government. The author of the play disseminated the ideas of nationalism and at the
same time by projecting characters from different religions tried to bring about religious
unity among the Indians. Hence, the government declared forfeited the Telugu book
under section 99A of C.P.C. of 1898 on 14th September 1921.
10
Another Telugu book in the form of a play entitled Gandhi Vijayam (The visit of
Gandhi) was published in January 1922. The name of the author of the book is not
known.
The main aim of the book was to clarify whether Gandhi's passive and non-
violent resistance would be successful or not. By way of answering this doubt, the
author of the book declared that God was incarnated as Gandhi to inculcate the doctrine
of Ahimsa (Nonviolence) and Afmanighra (Self-control). The author of the play
narrated the incidents connected with the entry of Gandhi into politics and the events
leading to the launching of the Non Co-operation Movement.
Gandhi's reaction to the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy is also portrayed in the play.
11
The author of the Telugu drama called upon the students to participate in the Non Co-
operation campaign vigorously. Hence, the Government of Madras viewed this book as
4
highly objectionable and declared it forfeited under section 99A of C.P.C. of 1898 on
1st February 1922.
12
A Telugu book entitled Gandhi Mahatma Kaliyuga Prahalatha (Gandhi or The
Prahalatha of the Present Iron Age) written by Adinarrayana Rao published in 1922,
contained several songs which were in praise of Gandhi and the Jallianwala Bagh
slaughter. The author of the book praised the meditative Gandhi and called him as the
incarnation of Lord Siva and as the embodiment of knowledge. The author called
Gandhi as 'Verrabhagava Santarayudu' (the establisher of righteousness and justice in
the golden age). Gandhi, said the author, was the personification of the righteous and
heroic love. He was God Kalki and he was reflected in every Indian heart.
13
Further, the author stated that satyagraha was the arrow of God Siva and Gandhi
held it in his hand with the assistance of Muhamat Ali and Shaukat Ali, Aurobindo
Ghose was regarded as Brahma and B.G.Tilak was called as Lord Vishnu and the war
which began between the British and the nationalists is like the one between brute-force
and the soul-power. The author of the book contented that the army of Gandhi would
succeed in this fight against the British.
14
In another songs of the book, the author
advised the Indians to study the history of Gandhi, which is a life of suffering and
sacrifice for the sake of the people in distresses. The author called him a supreme sage
who shined forth like Prahalatha.
15
Thus the author of the book called upon the Indians to emulate the example of
Gandhi and exhorted them to boycott the foreign products and picket those of the
wretched whites. Hence, the Government of Madras applied section 99A of the C.P.C.
of 1898 to ban the book on 18th May 1923.
16
IV
There was a spate of publications during the Civil Disobedience Movement in the
Madras Presidency. The Vernacular Press and Political Literature became the torch
bearers of the Gandhian Movements.
A Tamil pamphlet entitled Gandhi-Ki-Jai written by V.A.Sundaram was
published by Hindi Prachar Shabha at Madras in 1930. The pamphlet was in praise of
Gandhi and appreciated his efforts to drive out the Englishmen from India. The author
of the book said that Gandhi was India's guru and the world's greatest man, who gridded
up his lions to fight against the evil power. The British Government dreaded the
activities of Gandhi, who knew England as perhaps no other Indian did. He had served
that country loyally for twenty five years. But he found England untrue, the country was
like a wolf catching the poor Indian sheep and devouring them. Further, the author of
5
the pamphlet regarded “Gandhi as a good shepherd who knew his sheep. He had began
to take care of the sheep (Indians) and would lay down his life for them”.
17
The author also referred to the Dandi march organised by Gandhi and his
subsequent letter to the Viceroy Lord Irwin which evoked no response. Deeply hurt by
this indifference on the part of the British, the author of the pamphlet remarked,
“England was pig-headed. The country was mad with wounded vanity. Her politicians
were bullies”
18
Comparing Gandhi to a lamb, the author said that like a lamb Gandhi
would stand before the lion's mouth to pacify the lions hunger. Further, he stated that
Gandhi had been sent by God to liberate this ancient land from her bondage and he
would certainly accomplish his mission.
19
Thus, V.A.Sundaram, the author of the
pamphlet wrote about the sacrifices made by Gandhi at the time of Salt Satyagraha and
requested the people to take an active part in the Gandhian movement. Finding the tone
seditious, the Government of Madras declared forfeited the book under section 99A of
the C.P.C. of 1898 on 9th June 1930.
20
A book in Tamil entitled Desabakthar Geetham (The Patriot's Song) published
in 1931 and written by S.S.Viswanatha Das contained songs in praise of Gandhi. The
author of this book called the Britishers as "Vindictive white cranes", which came to
India to subjugate the Indians.
21
The rest of the songs in the book were in praise of Gandhi. The author of the
book called Gandhi a Savior, who had come to save the Indians from the cranes
(British). The book compared Gandhi to Lord Rama, who destroyed Ravana, a
personification of evil. Further Gandhi, the author said, resembled Lord Subramanya,
who severed the head of Surapadma. Gandhi was praised for having given the Indians
the scheme of non-cooperation and the mantra of vandematram. It as a mantra which
could, by itself foster the freedom of the Indians
22
Further, the author stated that the
mantra should be used to put an end to the fraudulent deeds of the English. Hence, the
Government of Madras declared forfeited the book under section 99A of C.P.C. of 1898
on 10th October 1931.
23
A Tamil pamphlet entitled Gandhi Pattu (Song of Gandhi) part I written by
Baskara Das and published in 1931 at Madras consisted of many songs which were in
praise of Gandhi and his sacrifice to the mother country. The author of the book stated
that Gandhi was born on earth to put an end to the treachery practiced by villains.
Gandhi was praised by this author for waging a relentless battle against the drink evil.
24
The author of the pamphlet called Gandhi, a saint of peace who supported the poor and
afforded the necessary facilities to the Indians to attain happiness. Praising the noble
6
traits of Gandhi, the author stated that he relinquished all pleasures without any grief.
Gandhi appeared in the ‘Kaliyuga' as an avatar for acquiring Swaraj.
25
The book further said shed light on the war of satyagraha waged by Gandhi with
conviction. Thus the author of the book appealed to the Indians to render all the
possible help for the sake of the country's liberation. The Government of Madras which
found the contents of the book seditious proscribed it on 1st April 1932 under Indian
Press Ordinance No.II of 1932.
26
Another book in Tamil entitled Pandit Motilal Nehru Geetham (Song on Pandit
Motilal Nehru) part IV, consisted of several songs composed by different persons and
published by V.R.Elumalai Pillai in 1931. The songs contained in the book were in
praise of Mother Bharata, Gandhi, C.R.Das and Patel. In one of the songs, an appeal
was made to Mother Bharata to bestow her grace upon the Indians so that they might
strive for Swaraj enthusiastically under the leadership of Gandhi.
27
Another song in the book characterised Gandhi as the sun that had come to dispel
the darkness of alien rule and a majestic lion that had come to drive away the elephants
(the Britishers) which unjustly afflict the Indians on earth. While referring to the twenty
one days fasting of Gandhi, the author of the song stated that this fasting of Gandhi was
organised with a view to secure the Hindu-Muslim unity and remarked that the people
of India would wage a war of independence for the sake of the nation's liberty.
28
The
Government of Madras applied the Special Powers Ordinance No.X of 1932 to ban it on
20th September 1932.
29
Another book in Tamil entitled Mahatma Gandhi Kirthanamurtham (Songs of
Mahatma Gandhi) consisted of seventeen songs, composed by V.Nataraj Pillai of
Madurai and published by Vani Vilas Book Depot at Tiruppathiripulliyur in 1931. A
number of songs in this book were in praise of Gandhi.
30
The author of the book praised
Gandhi as a divine incarnation and a hero of independence who waged a passive war to
secure the liberation of the Indians. Gandhi was characterised in this book as a gracious
person who made sacrifices to remove the shackles of slavery and inaugurated the
campaign of peaceful picketing and satyagraha.
31
Thus the author highlighted the
sacrificial deeds of Gandhi and appealed to the youth of India to follow his foot prints.
This book too was proscribed by the Government of Madras under the Special Powers
Ordinance No.X of 1932 on 30th September 1932.
32
Another book in Tamil entitled Mahatma Gandhi's 63rd Jayanthi Thothumalai
(Song in praise of Mahatma Gandhi's sixty third birth day) was written by P.I.
Vaithilingham, printed at Virakesari Press in Colombo on 2nd October 1931. The book
was published to mark the occasion of the sixty third birthday of Gandhi at the request
7
of one Manickam in aid of the Sabarmati Khaddar fund. The book consisted of four
songs, the first three of which were in praise of Gandhi and the fourth one in praise of
Jawaharlal Nehru.
33
The author of the songs referred to his political activities and the efforts said to
have been made by Gandhi to enable the Indians, who were suffering on account of the
British administration to lead a free and honourable life. The author appealed to the
Indians to pay respect to Gandhi on the occasion of his sixty third birth day and enlist
themselves in the boycott movement organised by Gandhi.
34
The Government of
Madras took action against the book under the Special Powers Ordinance No.X of 1932
to ban it on 12th September 1932.
35
A book in Tamil entitled Desiya Geethangal (National Songs) contained a
picture of Gandhi on the wrapper. It consisted of twelve songs composed by Baskara
Das of Madurai, V.A.Thiyaharaja Chettiar, Peer Mohammed, Kaja Mohaideen,
T.R.Durairajan and some others. The book was published in Hatton in Ceylon in 1932.
Majority of the songs were in praise of Gandhi's political life and his constructive
programme such as his khaddar work. Baskara Das, the author of one of the songs
extolled the services of Gandhi and his concern for the poor and his spirit of sacrifice
for the liberation of the nation. Further, Gandhi was depicted as a divine ascetic who
went to London to represent the grievances of the Indians and toiled hard for removing
the hardships of the Indians in South Africa and entered prison on several occasions
cheerfully for securing swaraj for the Indians.
36
A Tamil book entitled Desiya Geetham Ennum Sri Gandhi Dyanam, part II,
consisted of fifteen songs composed by Karambai V.M.Ramayya Chettiar and printed at
Kandy, Ceylon in 1931.
37
37 The book contained a picture of Goddess Bharata on the
wrapper and of Gandhi with the spinning wheel on the first page. Several songs of the
book were in praise of Gandhi,
38
Patel and Bhagat Singh. Gandhi was characterised as
a gentle person, who worked for the good of the world and performed satyagraha
peacefully at the time of the Civil Disobedience Movement and introduced the spinning
wheel to the Indians and advised them to manufacture khaddar with the cotton
produced in India. The Government of Madras proscribed the book under section 19(1)
of the Indian Press (EP) Act of 1931 as amended by the Criminal Law Amendment Act
of 1932 on 30th January 1933.
39
V
The Vernacular Press and Political Literature of Madras Presidency adopted
different methods to advance to cause of Indian Nationalism. Irked by this, the
Government of Madras promulgated the ruthless legislative measures to curtail the
8
freedom of the press to a great extent. The Indian press which were published in the
form of newspapers, books, pamphlets, pictures and cartoons heroically encountered the
dictatorial administrative measures of the British Government. Biographies of
prominent Indians like Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, V.D.Savarkar, C.R.Das, Motilal
Nehru, Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, S.C.Bose and host of others were published to attract
the attention of the people.
A very few pro-British Telugu Press of Andhra Province tried to get financial
assistance from the British and published some anti-Gandhian literature during the Civil
Disobedience Movement.
The press and political literature of Madras Presidency published many
biographies of Gandhi. It clearly reveals the fact that the press made it a point to project
the selfless sacrifices of Mahatma Gandhi. Many biographical works of Gandhi fell
victims to the press laws. The nationalists of this presidency thought that publishing the
patriotic deeds of Mahatma Gandhi would impress the people to a great extent. The
British authorities invoked many press legislations to forfeit these biographies of
Gandhi. The Government viewed these biographies of Gandhi as seditious and regarded
them as highly objectionable. In spite of strict vigilance and political control over these
literature by the Government of Madras, the nationalists continued to propagate the
ideals of Gandhian constructive programme by publishing the biographies of Gandhi to
the public undauntedly till the dawn of independence.
Notes and References
1
. C.F.Andrews, Mahatma Gandhi - His Life and Ideas, New Delhi, 1987, pp.3-7.
2
. H.S.L.Polak-Pathick Lawrence, Mahatma Gandhi - The Father of Modern India, New Delhi, 1986,
pp. 74-75.
3
. Glomey Bolton, The Tragedy of Gandhi, Delhi, 1986, pp.156-162.
4
. William L.Shiver, Gandhi- A Memoir, Delhi, 1993, pp. 77-84.
5
. V.Venkatraman, The Cartoons of Sudandira Sangu, 1930-1933, Rajapalayam 2001, pp.2-10.
6
. See Appendix Nos. 1-3, The cartoons of Sudandira Sangu.
7
. V.Venkatraman, Proscribed Vernacular Political Literature in the Madras Presidency - Content
Analysis, 1910-1935, unpublished Ph.D., Thesis, MK.University, Madurai, 1997, pp.252-64.
8
. Public Department, G.O.No.541 (Confal.), 27th June 1922.
9
. Ibid.,Ordinary, G.O.No.198, 4th September 1921.
10
. Ibid.,
11
. Gandhi who condemned the action of General Dyer's men at Jallianwala Bagh said: "suppose that
I am a soldier and that General Dyer ordered me to fire upon the people at Jallianwala Bagh, to
transgress such an order is my duty, dharma and justice, I can assert this firmly".
HFM Bundle No.86, strictly confdl., p. 164, TNA.
12
. Public Department, G.O.No.93 (Confdl.), 1st February 1922, TNA.
9
13
. Ibid.,G.O.No.413 (Confal.), 18th May 1923, TNA.
14
. HFM papers File No.R VIII 48/3-360, pp.162-64, NAI.
15
. Ibid.,pp.165-67, NAI.
16
. Public Department, G.O.No.413 (Confdl.), 18th May 1923, TNA.
17
. Ibid.,G.O.No.713-A (Confdl.), 9th June 1930, TNA.
18
. HFM papers File No.R VITI 48/3-360, pp.319, NAI.
19
. Ibid.,pp.320
20
. Public Department, G.O.No.713-A (Confal.), 9th June 1930, TNA.
21
. Ibid.,G.O.No.1050 (Confdl.), 10th October 1931, TNA.
22
. HFM papers File No.R VIII 48/3-360, pp.73-75, NAI.
23
. Public Department, G.O.No.1050 (Confdl.), 10th October 1931, TNA,
24
. Ibid.,G.O.No.490 (Confdl.), 1st April 1932, TNA.
25
. HFM papers File No.R VIII 48/3-360, pp.118-19, NAL
26
. Public Department, G.O.No.490 (Confdl.), 1st April 1932, TNA.
27
. Ibid.,G.O.No.1202 (Confdl.), 20th September 1932, TNA.
28
. HFM papers File No.R VIII 48/3-360, pp.160-62, NAI,
29
. Public Department, G.O.No.1202 (Confdl.), 20th September 1932.
30
. Ibid.,G.O.No.1268 (Confdl.), 30th September 1932.
31
. HFM papers File No.R VIII 48/3-360, pp.160-70, NAL
32
. Public Department, G.O.No.1268 (Confdl.), 30th September 1932,TNA.
33
. Ibid.,G.O.No.1181 (Confdl.), 12th September 1932. A large number of publications of this kind
were imported from Ceylon between 1930 - 1933.
34
. HFM papers File No.R VIII 48/3-360, pp.186-87, NAI.
35
. Public Department, G.O.No.1181 (Confdl.), 12th September 1932, TNA.
36
. Ibid.,G.O.No.108 (Confdl.), 30th January 1933, TNA.
37
. Home (Political) Department, File No.48/3, 1933, NAI.
38
. Gandhi, who launched the Individual satyagraha in October 1940 and suspended it on 15th
December 1941. In August 1942, Gandhi urged the Indians to participate in the Quit India
Movement. Gandhi and other prominent leaders were arrested on 9th August 1942 at Bombay.
He was released on 6th May 1944. Gandhi was very much against the partition of the nation but
he had to accept the reality. He refused to attend the Independence Day Celebrations on 15th
August 1947 at Delhi. Gandhi was shot dead on 30th January 1948 by Nathuram Godse, he died
ultering the words “Rama”.
(Krishna Kripalani, Gandhi: A Life, New Delhi, 2000, pp.152-166).
39
. Public Department, G.O.No. 108 (Confdl.), 30th January 1933, TNA.
10
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