Gandhi Fest: A Unique Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi
Siby K Joseph
Even if I am killed, I will not give up repeating the names of Rama and Rahim, which mean to me the same God. With these names on my lips, I will die cheerfully. M.K Gandhi
These words of Mahatma Gandhi describe the very purpose of Gandhi Fest, organized in Vatakara on October 3 to 5, 2025, in Kozhikode, Kerala. These words appeared in Harijan on April 20, 1947, a year before his assassination on January 30, 1948. Here, Gandhi declares his unwavering devotion to God by repeating the names “Rama” and “Rahim,” which he believed refer to the same divine entity, and expressed his readiness to die cheerfully, embracing death by uttering these names. He stood for religious unity and amity, viewing all faiths as paths to the same divine truth, and these words were prophetic, as he ultimately died with “Hey Ram” on his lips.
The main objective of Gandhi Fest is to energize the struggle of secularists against the politics of hatred and polarization, said P Harindranath, Director of Gandhi Fest. In the current scenario, where toxic minds are secretly and openly igniting the haystacks of communalism, remembering and reminding people of Mahatma Gandhi is the most relevant political and cultural activity. The survival of secular India is facing severe challenges today. The main goal of Gandhi Fest is to strengthen the fight of secularists against the politics of division, hatred, and polarization.
Mahatma Gandhi was the first leader to be concerned about the origin, spread, and consequences of communalism in India over a century ago. He provided rational solutions and warnings. Gandhi, in his seminal work Hind Swaraj, which he wrote in 1909, said, “Religions are different roads converging to the same point. What does it matter if we take different roads as long as we reach the same goal? In reality, there are as many religions as there are individuals.” This multicultural approach of Gandhi has become more relevant in India and the world at large in current times.
Gandhi Fest, scheduled for three days in Vatakara, is a sincere effort to reinterpret Mahatma Gandhi’s life, philosophy, cosmic vision, truth-seeking experiments, theory, and practice of Satyagraha, secular stance, and Indian liberation dreams in the contemporary Indian context. The world is looking up to Mahatma Gandhi today, as his ideology of non-violence and secularism provides a new light and energy to humanity. In today’s world, where capitalism, communalism, and polarization are sowing seeds of hatred and intolerance, Gandhi’s life lessons have become more relevant than ever. Gandhi Fest is a sincere effort to fulfill the imperative of re-reading Gandhi in today’s context.
This unique event features Gandhi scholars, Gandhi songs, cartoon and painting exhibitions, competitions in schools and libraries, visual representations of memorable moments in India’s freedom struggle, and a book festival. The Gandhi conversation held by S. Gopalakrishnan with eminent historian Ramachandra Guha is the main attraction of the fest. Prominent social activist and playwright Shabnam Hashmi, Kannada writer Nataraj Houliar, Gandhian thinkers Prof. Rajaram Tholpadi, Dr. M.S. John, Dr. Basavaraj Akki, Dr. P.M. Girish, Dr. M.P. Mathai, writers and speakers M.N. Karassery, Dr. Varghese George, Sunny M. Kapikad, Dr. E.V. Ramakrishnan, Anwar Ali, Prof. K. Gopinathan, Bobby Thomas, Dr. P.P. Raveendran, Dr. Rajendran Edathumkara, and others will also participate in various sessions.
The Gandhi Cartoon and Painting Exhibition will be inaugurated by renowned painter Dr. Sudheesh Kottembram. There will be a Gandhi poetry recital by Anwar Ali and a song tribute by V.T. Murali anThe closing ceremony on the will be inaugurated by Mathrubhumi Managing Director and INS Vice President M.V. Shreyams Kumar. Dr. P. Pavithran will deliver the keynote address. There will also be a screening of the new play ‘Gandhi’ by Pathanapuram Gandhi Bhavan. The release of Gandhi books will also take place at the fest venue. Notable books released on the occasion are four long interviews of S. Gopalakrishnan with historian Ramachandra Guha, one is biographical, and the other three are based on his various books. Another book is the Malayalam translation of the book “The 1924 Belgaum Congress Session: A Pictorial Narrative of Mahatma Gandhi’s Presidential Debut” written by Dr. Siby K Joseph and Dr. Basavaraj Akki. This event will be a milestone and a major landmark in the revival of Gandhian values and principles to overcome the current crisis India and the world at large are facing.
