Garland worn by Mahatma Gandhi at Dandi March open for bids in UK
London, Dec 12: A tinselled garland presented to and worn by Mahatma Gandhi during the iconic Dandi March of the Indian freedom struggle in 1930 remains open for bids after it failed to meet its GBP 20-30,000 guide price estimate at a UK auction this week.
The garland, in folded paper wrappers inscribed in Gujarati, is said to have been presented as the Salt March passed near the Ahmedabad home of Gandhi’s personal physician Dr Balvantrai N Kanuga and was offered by his wife, Nanduben Kanuga. It came up for auction as part of an ‘Islamic and Indian Art’ sale by Lyon & Turnbull in London on Wednesday.
“I am very surprised that the ‘Gandhi Garland’ did not find a home on the day of the auction,” said Kristina Sanne, Head of Sale at the auction house specialising in fine arts and antiques.
“That said, we have had quite a lot of interest since the sale and hope to sell it to the highest bidder. It deserves a great home,” she said.
The garland is composed of a large teardrop-shaped medallion of pink cloth backed on card, applied with silver and gold thread and sequins in an elaborate decorative pattern. It is edged with gold tinsel, with four smaller rectangular medallions and two triangular medallions similarly decorated and all connected with gold threads to form a necklace.
It passed on through descent from the collection of the late Dr Balvantrai N Kanuga, who along with his wife spent extensive periods at Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram as fellow satyagrahis. An amateur photograph of Gandhi being presented with the garland is inscribed on the reserve to read: “Gandhiji Nanduben Kanuga. On the day of Dandi March. At Bungalow 12th March 1930”.
The literature with the auction lot states: “This garland was presented to Gandhi to mark an auspicious beginning to the Salt March, a major non-violent protest in India in March-April 1930. The Salt March was one of the most successful campaigns in Gandhi’s struggle against British rule in India to win equal rights and freedom for Indians.
“Starting at his ashram (religious retreat) at Sabarmati (near Ahmedabad), the march reached Dandi after a journey of some 240 miles. On the morning of April 6, Gandhi and his followers picked up handfuls of salt from along the seashore. In so doing, they technically ‘produced’ salt and broke the law.”
A photograph accompanying the garland shows Nanduben Kanuga placing the garland around Gandhi’s neck and it is said to have been subsequently returned to the Kanugas after the march.
“A few weeks later, Dr Kanuga further contributed to the cause by paying 1600 Rupees for the grains of salt that Gandhi had made at Dandi,” reads the footnote.
While the garland remained unsold, the auction attracted fierce bidding for its other highlight lots with a very fine illustration from a Bhagavata Purana series from Punjab going under the hammer for GBP 27,700 - overshooting its estimate of GBP 15-20,000. A group of six Rajput Equestrian Portraits from Rajasthan exceeded their estimate to fetch GBP 20,160 and an album of Kalighat Paintings sold for GBP 21,420.
“The Indian Art section saw frantic bidding throughout and was over 90 per cent sold. A real testament to the buoyancy of the Indian Art market,” said Sanne.
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'No songs on alcohol': Advisory issued for Diljit's Chandigarh concert
Chandigarh, Dec 12: Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) has advised singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh, set to perform here on Saturday, to refrain from singing alcohol-themed songs during his live show, citing their adverse impact on children of impressionable age.
The advisory issued by the CCPCR chairperson Shipra Bansal on Thursday, specifically mentioned songs like 'Patiala Peg', '5 Tara', and 'Case' etc, cautioning against even altered versions that promote alcohol, drugs or violence.
"Avoid performing the songs i.e. Patiala Peg, 5 Tara, Case etc, even with twisted words in which alcohol, drugs and violence are promoted. These songs affect the children of impressionable age," the advisory read.
This follows a similar directive issued last month by the Telangana government during Dosanjh's live show in Hyderabad, where he was advised against promoting alcohol and drugs. The notice also restricted from inviting children on stage due to loud sounds and flashing lights.
The singer began the India leg of his Dil-Luminati Tour from Delhi in October this year.
In the Chandigarh advisory, the CCPCR chairperson said, "It has come to our notice that Diljit Dosanjh is going to perform in his live show scheduled for December 14, at Exhibition Ground, Sector-34, Chandigarh."
"After going through the representation received by the Commission, the CCPCR has decided to issue the following advisory in best interest of the children," it said.
The advisory noted that as per the World Health Organization's (WHO) report, adults should not be exposed to sound with a peak pressure level above 140db (decibel).
"For children, the level is reduced to 120 db. It is advisable to not invite children on stage during live show where peak sound pressure level is above 120db which is harmful for children," the advisory said.
The commission's advisory also asked to ensure that people aged below 25 years are not served alcohol as it is which is punishable under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and other provisions of law.
"You are therefore requested to comply with the advisory issued by the commission in the best interest of children," it said, addressing the singer, event organisers and concerned authorities.
A copy of the advisory has also been forwarded to the Chandigarh Excise and Taxation Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police, among others for necessary action.
Meanwhile, a delegation led by Chandigarh BJP's former president Arun Sood met the Deputy Commissioner here on Wednesday demanding a change in venue for the concerts of Dosanjh and Punjabi rapper A.P Dhillon, scheduled for December 14 and 21, respectively.
Sood cited that a recent event at the Sector 34 ground here by rapper-singer Karan Aujla had led to traffic congestions which caused inconvenience for residents.
The delegation demanded that the upcoming concerts be shifted from Sector 34 to Sector 25 rally ground to avoid inconvenience and hardships to locals.
Arun Sood said, "There has been a lot of anguish among residents and businessmen of Chandigarh, especially in sector 34 and surrounding sectors after the recent music show of Punjabi singer Karan Aujla at the exhibition ground."
He said that locals and businessmen of Chandigarh were affected by the rush of thousands of people, and their vehicles choking the city.
"We are not against the music concerts in the city, but our only concern is the venue," Sood said, adding that he himself is a big fan of Punjabi artists and music.
