The Madurai-based Gandhi Memorial Museum’s Secretary M P Gurusamy interacts with Senior Correspondent G Saravana Muthu

Q. Kindly throw light on this facility’s background.

A. In the wake of Bapu’s demise, a committee was instituted with a view to maintain existing ashrams and other centres besides constructing museums at places associated with events in his life. Madurai was selected for the Museum as it was here that the Mahatma adopted the ‘loincloth’ to identify himself with the poor. Besides, he visited the Sri Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple along with dalits in 1946.

The Museum is housed at Tamukkam Palace, which used to be the official residence of the Collector. In 1955, the Tamil Nadu Government offered it for the Museum. It was declared open on April 15, 1959 by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Q. Tell us about the valuables at the Museum?

A. The Hall of Relics and Replicas contains 14 items utilised by Gandhiji and 32 replications of his belongings. The 14 include the dhotiworn on the last day of his life, spectacles, spoon, thread spun by him, wooden and leather footwear, shawl, pillow with cover and blanket.

Q. How important is the Museum’s library from the historical point of view?

A. It contains books and periodicals, in bound volumes, of the Gandhian and post-Gandhian eras. There are 27,232 works on or by Gandhiji besides allied literature. Photocopies of 28,225 letters and 22 reels of microfilm are part of the collection.

Q. What are your projects?

A. Dissemination of Gandhian thought and his constructive programmes, translating significant topics from his writings and publishing the same, research on his philosophy, the ‘Taking Gandhi to Schools’ Programme, conducting Gandhian thought courses at the Institute of Gandhian Studies and Research, national leaders’ meetings, seminars, workshops, endowment lectures, book review gatherings and research forum meetings.

Q. Please elaborate on the Museum galleries.

A. The Exhibition Hall boasts 265 illustrations covering the history of the independence struggle. Major heads include The Challenge from Tamil Nadu, Mysore Resists, Sepoy Mutiny, The Voice of Indian Renaissance, Indian National Congress, Partition of Bengal and the Aftermath, The Bomb Cult, Gandhian Era and India Becomes Free.

Q. Who have been the eminent visitors?

A. Several dignitaries from India and abroad, diplomats and others came here. The first signature was by Pandit Nehru. Visitors included Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan; Dr. S. Radhakrishnan and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s daughter Anita.