Gandhi Museum Madurai stands as the living monument of the “Father of the Nation” Mahatma Gandhi. The Gandhi Memorial Trust came into existence after the assassination of Gandhi in the year 1948, through funds raised by public contribution. The trust allocated a huge amount to set up Gandhi Memorial Museums in seven places in the country associated with the life of Gandhi.
Madurai was selected as one among the seven places for setting up the memorial as several important decisions were made by Gandhi during his visit to Madurai. It was during his visit to Madurai in the year 1921, he made up his mind to wear a small towel like dhothi around the waist as his dress after seeing the poor people dressed in scarce clothes. He was mentally agitated and took up a firm decision to give up his rich dressing pattern. Still, one can find a firm proof at the residence where Gandhi started his simple mode of dressing. Also Gandhi visited Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple in the year 1946 when Harijans were allowed for the first time into the temple.
The palace of Rani Mangammal of Nayak dynasty with about 13 acres of land which was later occupied by the Nawabs and East Indian Company was gifted by the State Government for the construction of Gandhi Memorial Museum in the year 1955. Gandhi Memorial Museum stands as a living legend exhibiting the value of life, work and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.
One can divide the Gandhi Memorial Museum into various sections such as exhibition, pictorial gallery, Khadi and Village Industries Section, open air theatre and library.
The exhibition on “India Fights for Freedom” includes 265 depicts, illustrating the history of freedom movement. This is followed by an exhibit on handicrafts. Then is the picture gallery presenting a visual biography of Mahatma Gandhi through photos, sculptures, paintings, quotations, manuscripts and some original articles.
This is followed by the Khadi and Village Industries Section exhibiting some of the village industries. Gandhi museum includes a big open air theatre where weekly film shows, cultural programs and public meetings are held on special occasions. The library in the museum contains books on Gandhiji, cultural background of India and allied literatures. The library protects about 27,000 letters of Gandhiji and 62 reels of micro-films. The library includes a research section with a meeting hall. Book review meetings are held periodically. Also a science park is up for the benefits of the children.
Gandhi Memorial Museum at Madurai serves on broader prospective conducting exhibitions, study circle meetings, seminars, fine arts training courses, summer camps, group discussions, classes on Yogasana and Naturopathy. Besides these, the museum conducts educational program for college and high school students of Madurai City. The program would be held for a day including class room study with film projection, slide show and museum gallery tour.
A committee including gandhian leaders, social workers, educationalists and representatives from the State and the Central Governments are administering the Gandhi Memorial Museum at Madurai
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