Pune: Mahatma Gandhi’s life and values have been depicted in many forms of art, but in a remarkable display of creativity, author and stone artist Anita Dubey has used naturally colored stones to illustrate Gandhiji’s journey. Her stone art not only portrays significant moments from Gandhiji’s life but also embodies his core principles of truth, non-violence, and tolerance. This exhibition, organized by the Maharashtra Gandhi Smarak Nidhi Trust, is currently open to the public at Gandhi Bhavan in Kothrud, Pune, until Sunday.
A Lifelong Passion for Stones Turned into Art
Hailing from Bhopal, Dubey, who now lives in Kharadi, Pune, developed a unique artistic approach inspired by her childhood hobby of collecting stones.
"As a child, I spent my summers by the Narmada River, collecting stones of different colors and shapes. This habit eventually led me to experiment with using these stones to create designs, which later transformed into my stone art," she explained.
Her journey was further shaped by her husband’s career in the Indian Air Force, which required frequent relocations across India. These travels allowed her to collect diverse types of stones from different regions, enriching her art.
An Inspiration Born from a Conversation on Communal Violence
The idea of creating a series on Gandhiji’s life emerged during a conversation with her husband regarding ongoing religious and communal violence in India. His words—"Even after 70 years of independence, we are still facing the same issues"—deeply impacted Dubey. This led her to study Gandhiji’s writings and philosophy, which in turn inspired her to translate his life and ideals into art.
Gandhiji’s Journey Captured in Stone
The exhibition features 50 intricate paintings made entirely from natural stones, depicting:
Gandhiji’s struggle against racial discrimination in South Africa
His return to India and leadership in the freedom movement
The principles of non-violence and satyagraha
His symbolic rejection of foreign clothing
Dubey emphasizes that none of the stones have been artificially modified or painted. Instead, each piece maintains its original color and shape, preserving the authenticity of nature in her artwork.