Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869 – 1948)
a Lawyer, leader of Indian Independence Movement

Artist Ramendranath Chakravorty (1902 – 1955)

dated 1-11-1947, Charcoal on paper
13.5 x 10 in. (34.3 x 25.4 cm.)

This rare charcoal drawing, dated 1st November 1947, captures Mahatma Gandhi in a moment of deep contemplation during his morning prayer at Birla Bhawan. Created just two and a half months after India’s hard-won independence—and a mere three months before Gandhi’s tragic assassination—the work holds a poignant place in history.

Gandhi is depicted sitting humbly on the floor, wrapped in his characteristic simple cloth His posture embodying his lifelong ideals of austerity, humility, and devotion. In this drawing, Ramendranath’s style is clearly evident: the face is meticulously built up with tonal depth, while the drapery and body are expressed through swift, confident strokes. His approach allows the viewer’s focus to remain firmly on Gandhi’s serene concentration, making the portrait not merely a likeness but a profound homage to Gandhi’s spirit.

Ramendranath Chakravorty was a significant figure in modern Indian art. A product of the Bengal School tradition yet distinct in his own approach, Ramendranath blended strong draughtsmanship with a meditative sensitivity. He was known for his ability to capture the soul of his subjects through the economy of line and subtle tonal variations, often favoring charcoal and dry media for their immediacy and intimacy.