When Gandhi met
Charlie Chaplin - In Newham, east London
A bizarre photograph showing
Gandhi and slapstick legend Charlie Chaplin meeting at an East End
house has been released to mark the pacifist's 140th
birthday.
Newham Council believes the memorable rendezvous is a
prime example of how the borough was a hotbed for community
cohesion as far back as 1931, when the picture was taken.
Gandhi's birthday - 2 October - poignantly marks International day
of Non Violence across the world.
Newham is one the UK's most ethically diverse areas and statistics
show how 85 per cent of people believe their local area is a place
where people from different backgrounds get along.
The chance meeting between the ideologist and comedian took place
when Gandhi arrived in London for the Round Table Conference to
discuss Indian independence. He refused to stay in a West End
hotel, preferring to stay among the working people, and so chose to
make his home at Kingsley Hall, Bow, for 12 weeks.
Kingsley Hall Community Centre was run by Christian pacifist
Muriel Lester, who formed a friendship and respect for Gandhi. In
her book "Entertaining Gandhi", published in 1932, Lester tells the
story of his visit and how he sympathized and drew parallels
between the working classes of London and the "Untouchables" of
India.
The book describes a variety of visits, one being when Gandhi met
Chaplin, who was also in London at the time and an admirer of
Gandhi's work.
It reads: "One of my clearest mental pictures is of Mr Gandhi
sitting with a telegram in his hand looking distinctly puzzled.
Grouped round him were secretaries awaiting his answer. As I came
in, the silence was being broken by a disapproving voice saying
'But he's only a buffoon, there is no point in going to meet him.'
The telegram was being handed over for the necessary refusal when I
saw the name.
"'But don't you know that name, Bapu?' I inquired, immensely
intrigued. 'No' he answered, taking back the flimsy form and
looking at me for the enlightenment that his secretaries could not
give.
"Charlie Chaplin! He's the world's hero. You simply must meet him.
His art is rooted in the life of working people, he understands the
poor as well as you do, he honours them always in his
pictures."
The following week, on 22 September, 1931, at renowned Indian
medic Dr Katial's house in Beckton Road, Canning Town, locals were
agape at the sight of these two men. Hundreds crowded around the
house to catch a glimpse of the famous visitors.