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The charka continues to spin out memories here

— Photo: S.R.K

Repertoire of history: The Gandhi Ashram in Kozhikode city.

On Gandhi Jayanthi day on October 2, the charka would spin nostalgia once again.

The venue is the Gandhi Ashram at Malaparamba, a site revered by Gandhians since Mahatma Gandhi himself conducted a demonstration on charka spinning here way back in 1934 during a visit to Kozhikode.

It is an occasion to revisit the symbolism of the charka — the hand-spun khadi cloth as the swadeshi fabric — and the meditative element attached to spinning.

“We have been organising the spinning demonstration with the kisan charka regularly on October 2. It is part of efforts to popularise hand-spun khadi,” says U. Radhakrishnan, general manager of Gandhi Ashram.

Gandhi visited Kozhikode in 1920, 1934 and again in 1937 to spread the message of non-violence and the civil disobedience movement. It was while on a tour of the State from January 10 to 22 in 1934 — in the thick of the Freedom Movement — that he visited the premise that is now the Gandhi Ashram. A prayer meeting was held in the courtyard and Gandhi addressed a large crowd that had gathered to see him.

Nagji Amarsi, a businessman who was the owner of the building complex, donated the premises to continue the legacy of Gandhi. The building was registered in 1942 in the name of the Akhila Bharata Charka Sanghom. It is also the premises of the Kerala Sarvodaya Sanghom since its inception in 1958. In 1960 when the All India Sarva Seva Sangam was formed, the Gandhi Ashram became the headquarters of the organisation.

The Gandhi Ashram has come to be associated with the philosophy of simple dressing and austere habits. The place continues to inspire people of Kozhikode, even in the modern age.

It is also a practice to organise an all-religion prayer meeting on October 2. Payasam is distributed to more than 300 persons on the day, Mr. Radhakrishnan says.

A 30 per cent rebate is offered on all items sold at the Gandhi Ashram from October 2 to 7.

The ashram premise also has a building in memory of staunch Gandhian and patriot Shyamji Sunderdas; where he stayed for many years till his death in 1987.

Maleeha Raghaviah

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