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

Artist A. Ramachandran (1935 – 2024)

dated 2019, Ink on paper
15 x 11 in. (38.1 x 27.9 cm.)

This charcoal pencil drawing titled “Different Moods of Gandhi” is a preparatory study by renowned artist A. Ramachandran, created in 2019. Composed of six expressive sketches on a single sheet, the artwork captures Gandhi in various emotional states—thoughtful, stern, meditative, and introspective. Ramachandran explores Gandhi’s inner world through nuanced linework and shifting head angles, presenting not a singular iconic image but a layered, humane portrayal. This study was part of Ramachandran’s process while preparing a larger body of work on Gandhi, emphasizing his lifelong commitment to truth, simplicity, and self-discipline.

A. Ramachandran, a Padma Bhushan awardee and one of India’s most respected contemporary artists, is known for his deep engagement with Indian philosophy, mythology, and socio-political themes. Trained at Santiniketan under the influence of Nandalal Bose and Ramkinkar Baij, he brings to his art both academic precision and imaginative vitality. His practice spans painting, sculpture, murals, and illustration. He is particularly noted for his meticulous study before any major works. This drawing exemplifies his method: the careful observation, emotional insight, and profound respect with which he approaches his subjects. In portraying Gandhi, Ramachandran offers a quiet but powerful meditation on one of India’s most iconic and complex figures.