SoCultures October 2018

SoCultures October 2018
S Why Khadi? Why you always endorsed Khadi as the Swadeshi brand?
M Hmm! Khadi has a very big vision.
I wrote in Navajivan: “I do not want either my co-workers or readers to
adopt the loincloth. But I do wish that they should thoroughly realize the
meaning of the boycott of foreign cloth and put forth their best effort to get it
boycotted, and to get khadi manufactured. I do wish that they may
understand that swadeshi means everything.”
S Do you know you are a fashion icon?
M Gandhi caps are the latest fad, thanks to the much-celebrated social
activist Anna Hazare who made it a nation-wide rage in recent times. They
are now synonymous not just with politicians and dabbawallas
but also with the youth and commoners.
And someone told me that the round wired frames worn by me have inspired
many fashion labels. Armani has a range of round rimmed glasses and more.
He thinks they are “super trendy! Same goes for the dhoti pants. But yes,
Khadi is the most amazing fabric ever.
S Why round glasses?
M The round glasses have since become popular, representing characters
which have a soft demeanor and are physically weak but have strong
personalities/intellect—Harry Potter, Clark Kent, and Velma are a few
examples of this.
During my time however, glasses were steel rimmed and built to last, and
the lens was made of glass—it had to be ground on abrasive surface to fit the
frame. This grinding required skill and fine tools. Round glasses without any
drastic changes in curvature or sharp corners are easier to grind, which is
why round or oval frames are popular instead of shapes with well defined
corners for frames which use glass lenses.
We take leave and express our thanks and gratefulness to Mahatma for doing
so much for us.
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