The Bangalore-based Gandhi Sahitya Sangha was an off-shoot of the Quit India Movement (1942) which is one of the most important mile stones in the struggle for Independence of India.

During those days of struggle, a few youngsters were influenced by the thoughts of Sree Ramakrishna and Vivekananda. Bhajans, collective thinking on important issues was a common scene among the younger lot. A few others showed interest in fund raising during famine and overseeing the assembly of people in ration shops. In fact, they were known as 'Food Volunteers'. But the Quit India Movement attracted these youngsters who were only too happy to contribute their mite to the Freedom Struggle of their Country. Certain revolutionary youngsters were interested in the 'bomb culture' too. But thanks to the timely guidance received from the then mercurial worker in Hyderabad who got National recognition to Vishwa Karnataka magazine, also a renowned writer (Sahiti) - Sree Siddhavanahalli Krishna Sharma, they mended ways quickly.

Writer of the great book Parnakuti, Sharma's talk, writing, editorials that carried certain spark attracted the youngsters to the Movement along with Gandhiji's articles in the magazine Harijana. Sangha began its activities in 1942 by organizing Gandhi Jayanthi amidst the prevalent uneasy atmosphere and police pressure. Meetings, Bhajans, Khadi weaving etc. were held at Malleshwaram Sree Rama Mandira and out of the remaining fund it was decided to buy books of Gandhiji for the benefit of public.

The library in the initial days was an old wooden bureau ! Traveling as it was to various locations, the 'library' finally came to its present location of the Sangha's premises in 1958. More than elections, Voting Rights etc. Sangha thrived on the belief of the members among each other. For many years, the library ran free of charge to the readers and hardly any books were lost. People queued-up to read Gandhi Sahitya and hardly any youngster remained out of bounds of the Sangha between 1942-1960. Along with the growth of library, other important activities were sale of Khadi, celebration of the Birthdays (Jayanthis) of great men and so on. For every activity, Shree Sharma stood as the guiding spirit. Sangha was like a family. No one had any authority or rights. But everyone was bound by duty.

Though the eldest, Shree Sharma never imposed himself upon the youngsters. Everyone worked for the Sangha out of love and affection for the lofty ideals the Sangha tried to propagate.

Book Paradise

The Central point of the Sangha, the library today has more than Thirteen thousand books that includes Gandhi Sahitya, National Literature, books on various Religions, Children's books etc. While Kannada, Hindi, English books are in large numbers, some of even Sanskrit, Marathi and Telugu can be found here. Gandhi Sahitya is the important one with about 700 books available here. From students to scholars, every fraternity has made use of this library for their thesis or studies. It has a separate section for children in the remembrance of Shree G.P.Rajaratnam, the pioneer in Childrens' Sahitya. The Sangha has published many books, notable among them being Parnakuti (Shree Sharma), Vardha Yatre, Vinoba, Deepamale and others. More than 50 books by Ho.Sreenivasaiah, Dattatreya Burudeji, Ramaradhya, Neelathahalli Kasturi have been published by the Sangha. Na Kanda Germany (Ho.Sreenivasaiah) and Vyakthi-Shakthi won the State Sahitya Academy awards.

Sarvodaya by Shree Sharma was run for about 8 years and Masti's Jeevana magazine was published through the Sangha for about 3-4 years. Apart from lectures, interactive discussions, Sangha encouraged staging of Dramas in good taste, such as Gandu Godali (G.P.Rajaratnam), Ashadabhoothi (A.N.Moorthi Rao), Yugantara (Gokak) and others. An exhibition of pictures of Ho.Sreenivasaiah's Germany visit has also been held here, with a similar exhibition at Germany. Another important Sahitya type, Gamaka received recognition at Sangha and programmes were held through the length and breadth of Karnataka State.

Remembrance

Sangha's leading personality Shree Siddhavanahalli Krishna Sharma passed away in 1973. His biography was penned by Shree Neelathahalli Kasturi, who travelled extensively to Chitradurga, Mysore, Dharwad, Hyderabad, Ballary and Hospet (places where Sharma spent his years in service) to collect material. On 05.08.1976, the book, titled Siddhavanahalli Krishna Sharma - Vyakthi-Shakthi was released by the then Minister Shree Y.M.Ghorpade. The book won appreciation from both scholars and the commoner. When another elderly figure of the Sangha, Sree G.P.Rajaratnam was indisposed (1968), Sangha mobilised about Twenty Thousand Rupees by selling his works and honoured the vetern with that money. When he passed away in 1979, a memorial book Rajamarga and another Arada Belaku were published.

Pandit Ramaradhya, the well-known Gamaka exponent, did yeomen service by collecting about Twenty Five Thousand proverbs and indexing them in the order of letters beginning with 'A' of Kannada. After his death, Kannada Sahitya Parishat published these proverbs in two volumes that has proved to be of immense use to those studying/doing research in Folk Literature (Janapada Sahitya).

Other activities

Nature Cure, another concept in which Gandhiji had immense faith, has received due recognition at the Sangha. Thousands of people have made use of this therapy. Sangha held the South Indian Nature Cure Sammelan in 1971 and Karnataka State Sammelan in 1980. Sangha celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1968. The then Chief Minister of Karnataka State, Shree Veerendra Patil, Swamiji of Ramakrishna Ashrama Swami Prabuddhanandaji, Educationist K.Sampadgiri Rao, Litterateurs V.K.Gokak, Ram.Shree.Mugali among others participated in the celebrations. A commemorative issue, Santasa was also brought out on the occasion. After the Silver Jubilee, though Sangha lost most of its leading lights in Sharma, Rajaratnam, Ramaradhya etc. their deeds and thoughts have kept the Sangha's activities going.

Sangha, which did not have own working place began activities in its own premises on the 8th cross in Malleshwaram, Bangalore in 1958. Ex-Mayor Shree J.Lingaiah played an important role in securing this place on lease to the Sangha. Many Associations and individuals have been contributing to the Sangha through funds that have helped the Sangha's activities. Sangha celebrated its Golder Jubilee on Gandhi Jayanthi Day (02nd October) in 1991. Programmes were inaugurated by the then Mayor, Shree Narayana Swamy that included releasing of books, lectures on Healthy Food and Nature Cure and so on.

While thanking its patrons who have helped its existence in the last 60 years, the Sangha plans to continue its Cultural activities and propagating of habits such as holding Public programmes and Book readings etc. which have thinned out of late. It is with the optimism that good habits will return among general public the Sangha looks forward to its existence in the coming years.