Modern Gandhi : The fashion Satyagraha




Mahatma Gandhi, today, is the most recognizable figure in India. Thanks to the Indian Rupees. We all can clearly recollect within seconds what Gandhi is associated with – truth, non-violence, independence and KHADI. When it comes to assessing the Mahatma on his ‘personal’ style, his magnificent personality comes into a totally different light. He was the man who could lead an entire nation to a revolution by simply boosting their confidence of their indigenous clothing. People of India boycotted the British cotton and turned to their home-grown variety of cotton known as Khadi. This can be regarded as the birth of India’s own fashion industry; the production of Khadi. Gandhi during his lifetime experimented with different clothing styles, which interestingly resonated with the development of his thought and strengthened around his vision. When he was young barrister he was quite a dandy. He imitated the British ‘suit and tie’ hoping to adapt among British barristers in South Africa . However during his stay in South Africa, he began his quest for truth and authenticity, which affected his clothing style and made it more humble- he started wearing a sober white kurta with dhoti. The round-rimmed glasses of the Mahatma solidified his presence and vision like a true intellectual in front of the Indian masses.

When we discuss about the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi for the Indian society, his fashion legacy remains one of the important. The message behind the fashion of Mahatma is being deciphered by the present generation. This millennial generation aims to enshrine the ideals of Gandhi through their style. The recent trend of minimalist fashion traces its roots to simplicity of Mahatma Gandhi when he mobilized the whole India clad in a simple dhoti. The round rimmed glasses are back in vogue, and they are donned by famous Bollywood celebrities. We can celebrate the fact that the home-grown Khadi is one of the best varieties of cotton in the world, and is leading the cotton-manufacturing brigade. Gandhi immortalized the concept of ‘make in India’ during non-cooperation movement in 1920 while encouraging people to produce their own cloth and  it can be said the ‘liberalization effect’ of the early 2000s are fading and younger people are again turning towards indigenous brands and clothing styles.

The word Satyagraha which translates to ‘holding-on to the truth’ is being expressed through the millennial fashion trend. Millennials do not shy away from expressing their sexuality through their clothes, they hold on to their truth. A recent example is a picture posted by Ayushmaan Khurrana (Bollywood actor) on Instagram dressed in a long-skirt and a shirt, embracing both sexualities effortlessly.

Remarkably, it can be said that Mahatma Gandhi is being modernized by adopting his symbols in popular culture and fashion. His legacy is turning into something more intangible. The youth is silently leading a fashion Satyagraha and is making more sense than before.

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