New Delhi, 13 December 2024: A rare garland, once presented to Mahatma Gandhi during the historic Dandi March of 1930, remains open for purchase following its appearance at a sale in the UK this week.
Despite strong interest, the garland, valued at GBP 20,000-30,000, did not meet its reserve price at Lyon & Turnbull’s ‘Islamic and Indian Art’ sale in London, leaving it unsold for the moment.
The garland, presented to Gandhi by Nanduben Kanuga, the wife of his personal physician Dr. Balvantrai N. Kanuga, is a deeply significant artifact from one of the most critical episodes in India’s fight for independence.
It was offered at auction as part of a broader collection from the Kanuga family, who were close associates of Gandhi and significant participants in his movement.
Kristina Sanne, Head of Sale at Lyon & Turnbull, expressed some surprise at the outcome, saying, “I am very surprised that the ‘Gandhi Garland’ did not find a home on the day of the sale.
However, we have had quite a lot of interest since and remain hopeful that it will eventually be sold to the highest bidder. It certainly deserves to be preserved in a notable collection.”
The garland, designed with elaborate stitching in silver and gold thread, tinsel edges, and decorated medallions, is a unique piece of history.
The medallion itself is made from pink cloth, with intricate decorative patterns, and the garland includes four smaller rectangular medallions, and two triangular ones—all connected with gold thread to form a necklace.
The item came with a photograph of Nanduben Kanuga placing it around Gandhi’s neck on the day of the Salt March, accompanied by an inscription that reads, “Gandhiji Nanduben Kanuga. On the day of Dandi March. At Bungalow 12th March 1930.”
The garland was presented to Gandhi as an auspicious beginning to the Salt March, which marked a crucial moment in India’s non-violent struggle for independence.
The March, which began at Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram near Ahmedabad, eventually led to Dandi, where on April 6, 1930, Gandhi and his followers broke the British salt laws by collecting salt from the shore.
The Salt March was pivotal in galvanizing India’s independence movement, symbolizing Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violent civil disobedience.
Dr. Kanuga, who had been involved with the Salt March and spent considerable time at Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram, is said to have continued his support for the movement, contributing 1,600 Rupees to pay for the salt that Gandhi and his followers made at Dandi.
Despite this key piece of history remaining unsold, the sale witnessed heated bidding for other objects. A particularly fine illustration from the Bhagavata Purana series from Punjab sold for GBP 27,700, well above its estimate of GBP 15,000-20,000, while six Rajput Equestrian Portraits from Rajasthan fetched GBP 20,160, surpassing their estimate. An album of Kalighat Paintings also sold for GBP 21,420.
Sanne noted the continued strength of the Indian art market, saying, “The Indian Art section saw passionate bidding throughout and was over 90 percent sold, a clear sign of the market’s buoyancy and collectors’ growing interest.”
While the Gandhi garland remains available, its historical significance ensures continued interest, and further negotiations are expected to secure it for an eventual owner. The sale of the garland, along with other significant artworks, signals ongoing enthusiasm for high-quality Indian art and artifacts.
