Hermann Kallenbach
Encyclopedia
Hermann Kallenbach was a German
born Jewish
South African architect who was one of the foremost friends and associates of Mahatma Gandhi
. Kallenbach was introduced to the young Mohandas Gandhi while they were both working in South Africa and after a series of discussions and they developed an intimate and long lasting friendship.
as the third eldest out of seven children of a German-Jewish family.. His father Kalman Leib Kallenbach was a Hebrew teacher and, later, a timber merchant. Hermann's childhood centered round education, sports and friendships with the village youth and later he studied architecture in Stuttgart and Munich. In 1896, he went to South Africa to join his uncles in Johannesburg
, where he practiced as an architect and became a South African citizen. A skilled ice-skater, swimmer, cyclist and gymnast, and a successful architect, Kallenbach acquired considerable property in South Africa. Yet a major transformation in his life took place after he met Mahatma Gandhi.
With Gandhi in South Africa
In 1904 he met Gandhi, who was then working in South Africa. They had long discussions on religious and other issues. He was highly influenced by Gandhi's ideas of Satyagraha
and equality among human beings and became his intimate friend and a dedicated devotee. In 1910 Kallenbach, then a rich man, donated to Gandhi a thousand acre (4 km²) farm belonging to him near Johannesburg
. The farm was used to run Gandhi's famous "Tolstoy Farm" that housed the families of satyagrahis. Kallenbach himself named this farm after Leo Tolstoy
as he was deeply influenced by Tolstoy's writings and philosophy. Abandoning the life of a wealthy, sport-loving bachelor, he adopted a simple lifestyle
, vegetarian diet
and equality politics of Gandhi on this farm. In Gandhi's words, they became "soulmates" and, for a time, shared Kallenbach's home. Together with Henry Polak, another close friend and follower of Gandhi, Kallenbach was associated with Gandhi throughout the Satyagraha
(non-violent resistance) struggle, which lasted in South Africa until 1914.
Kallenbach also accompanied Gandhi in his first penitential fast at Phoenix
in 1913 over the 'moral lapse' of two inmates. Also, Kallenbach acted as a manager during Gandhi's 'The Epic March — Satyagraha' movement in South Africa. He also accompanied Gandhi and his wife
on their final voyage from South Africa to London in 1914. Gandhi and Kallenbach used to call each other as "Upper House" and "Lower House" respectively, the Lower House preparing the budget and the Upper House vetoing large chunks of it!".
he was interned as an 'Enemy Alien' at detention camps and shifted to the Isle of Man as a prisoner of war from 1915 to 1917. After the war he returned to South Africa, where he resumed his work as an architect and continued to correspond with Gandhi. The rise of Nazism
and Hitler's
anti-Jewish propaganda shocked Kallenbach into a rediscovery of his Jewish roots.
He became a Zionist, served on the Executive of the South African Zionist Federation and planned to settle in Palestine (Ereẓ Israel
to Jews). He wanted society there to involve no state, military and industry to avoid colonialism through Zionist settlements. At the request of Moshe Shertok (Sharett), Kallenbach visited Gandhi in May 1937 to enlist his sympathy and support for Zionism. The architect once again became a simple man, participating in all the activities of Gandhi's ashram life. Kallenbach wrote, "I join the whole programme. ... It is 'almost' as the old joint life, as if the 23 years, with all the events that affected millions of people, had disappeared." Although disagreeing with Gandhi over Zionism and also in his (Kallenbach's) conviction that Hitler
had to be resisted by violence, Kallenbach's deep friendship with Gandhi continued, and he visited him again in 1939.
To this day, Kallenbach is considered to be one of the foremost associates and friends of Gandhi who devoted a major part of his life to follow his principles and ideals. Gandhi has frequently mentioned him in his autobiography
where he explains how he was his 'soulmate' in the early days of development of his personality and ideologies.
A biography of Hermann Kallenbach, written by Isa Sarid, the daughter of his niece Hanna Lazar and Christian Bartolf, depicts Kallenbach's personality and his friendship with Gandhi very deeply. In his book, Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle With India
, former New York Times editor Joseph Lelyveld
quotes Tridip Suhrud, a cultural historian, as claiming: "They were a couple". This statement has proven controversial. Nevertheless, Gandhi's correspondence with Kallenbach provides a fascinating glimpse into the deep mutual respect they had for each other and how they had affected each other's thoughts and ideas.
In Richard Attenborough
's film, Gandhi
, Kallenbach was played by Günther Maria Halmer.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
born Jewish
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
South African architect who was one of the foremost friends and associates of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
. Kallenbach was introduced to the young Mohandas Gandhi while they were both working in South Africa and after a series of discussions and they developed an intimate and long lasting friendship.
Early life
Kallenbach was born in 1871 in East PrussiaEast Prussia
East Prussia is the main part of the region of Prussia along the southeastern Baltic Coast from the 13th century to the end of World War II in May 1945. From 1772–1829 and 1878–1945, the Province of East Prussia was part of the German state of Prussia. The capital city was Königsberg.East Prussia...
as the third eldest out of seven children of a German-Jewish family.. His father Kalman Leib Kallenbach was a Hebrew teacher and, later, a timber merchant. Hermann's childhood centered round education, sports and friendships with the village youth and later he studied architecture in Stuttgart and Munich. In 1896, he went to South Africa to join his uncles in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, where he practiced as an architect and became a South African citizen. A skilled ice-skater, swimmer, cyclist and gymnast, and a successful architect, Kallenbach acquired considerable property in South Africa. Yet a major transformation in his life took place after he met Mahatma Gandhi.
With Gandhi in South Africa
In 1904 he met Gandhi, who was then working in South Africa. They had long discussions on religious and other issues. He was highly influenced by Gandhi's ideas of Satyagraha
Satyagraha
Satyagraha , loosely translated as "insistence on truth satya agraha soul force" or "truth force" is a particular philosophy and practice within the broader overall category generally known as nonviolent resistance or civil resistance. The term "satyagraha" was conceived and developed by Mahatma...
and equality among human beings and became his intimate friend and a dedicated devotee. In 1910 Kallenbach, then a rich man, donated to Gandhi a thousand acre (4 km²) farm belonging to him near Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
. The farm was used to run Gandhi's famous "Tolstoy Farm" that housed the families of satyagrahis. Kallenbach himself named this farm after Leo Tolstoy
Leo Tolstoy
Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy was a Russian writer who primarily wrote novels and short stories. Later in life, he also wrote plays and essays. His two most famous works, the novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, are acknowledged as two of the greatest novels of all time and a pinnacle of realist...
as he was deeply influenced by Tolstoy's writings and philosophy. Abandoning the life of a wealthy, sport-loving bachelor, he adopted a simple lifestyle
Simple living
Simple living encompasses a number of different voluntary practices to simplify one's lifestyle. These may include reducing one's possessions or increasing self-sufficiency, for example. Simple living may be characterized by individuals being satisfied with what they need rather than want...
, vegetarian diet
Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism encompasses the practice of following plant-based diets , with or without the inclusion of dairy products or eggs, and with the exclusion of meat...
and equality politics of Gandhi on this farm. In Gandhi's words, they became "soulmates" and, for a time, shared Kallenbach's home. Together with Henry Polak, another close friend and follower of Gandhi, Kallenbach was associated with Gandhi throughout the Satyagraha
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in South Africa
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a young man of 24 when he arrived in South Africa in 1893.Gandhi arrived in South Africa in 1893 to work as a legal representative for the Muslim Indian Traders based in the city of Pretoria....
(non-violent resistance) struggle, which lasted in South Africa until 1914.
Kallenbach also accompanied Gandhi in his first penitential fast at Phoenix
Phoenix, Durban
Phoenix is an Indian township, northwest of central Durban. It was established as a township in 1976, but it has a long history of Indian occupation...
in 1913 over the 'moral lapse' of two inmates. Also, Kallenbach acted as a manager during Gandhi's 'The Epic March — Satyagraha' movement in South Africa. He also accompanied Gandhi and his wife
Kasturba Gandhi
Kastürbā Gāndhi was the wife of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, marrying him in an arranged marriage in 1883.-Early life and background:...
on their final voyage from South Africa to London in 1914. Gandhi and Kallenbach used to call each other as "Upper House" and "Lower House" respectively, the Lower House preparing the budget and the Upper House vetoing large chunks of it!".
As a Zionist
Kallenbach planned to accompany Gandhi to India in 1914, but with the outbreak of World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
he was interned as an 'Enemy Alien' at detention camps and shifted to the Isle of Man as a prisoner of war from 1915 to 1917. After the war he returned to South Africa, where he resumed his work as an architect and continued to correspond with Gandhi. The rise of Nazism
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
and Hitler's
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
anti-Jewish propaganda shocked Kallenbach into a rediscovery of his Jewish roots.
He became a Zionist, served on the Executive of the South African Zionist Federation and planned to settle in Palestine (Ereẓ Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
to Jews). He wanted society there to involve no state, military and industry to avoid colonialism through Zionist settlements. At the request of Moshe Shertok (Sharett), Kallenbach visited Gandhi in May 1937 to enlist his sympathy and support for Zionism. The architect once again became a simple man, participating in all the activities of Gandhi's ashram life. Kallenbach wrote, "I join the whole programme. ... It is 'almost' as the old joint life, as if the 23 years, with all the events that affected millions of people, had disappeared." Although disagreeing with Gandhi over Zionism and also in his (Kallenbach's) conviction that Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
had to be resisted by violence, Kallenbach's deep friendship with Gandhi continued, and he visited him again in 1939.
Death and legacy
Kallenbach died in 1945. He left a portion of his considerable estate for South African Indians, but the bulk was left for the benefit of Zionism. His large collection of books went to the Hebrew University, and his cremated remains were buried at Deganyah.To this day, Kallenbach is considered to be one of the foremost associates and friends of Gandhi who devoted a major part of his life to follow his principles and ideals. Gandhi has frequently mentioned him in his autobiography
The Story of My Experiments with Truth
The Story of My Experiments with Truth is the autobiography of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, covering his life from early childhood through to 1920. It was initiated at the insistence of Swami Anand and other close co-workers of Gandhi, for him to explain the background of his public campaigns...
where he explains how he was his 'soulmate' in the early days of development of his personality and ideologies.
A biography of Hermann Kallenbach, written by Isa Sarid, the daughter of his niece Hanna Lazar and Christian Bartolf, depicts Kallenbach's personality and his friendship with Gandhi very deeply. In his book, Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle With India
Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle With India
Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle With India is a 2011 biography of Indian political and spiritual leader Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Joseph Lelyveld and published by Alfred A Knopf....
, former New York Times editor Joseph Lelyveld
Joseph Lelyveld
Joseph Lelyveld was executive editor of the New York Times from 1994 to 2001, and interim executive editor in 2003 after the resignation of Howell Raines. He is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author, and a frequent contributor to the New York Review of Books.In all, Lelyveld worked at...
quotes Tridip Suhrud, a cultural historian, as claiming: "They were a couple". This statement has proven controversial. Nevertheless, Gandhi's correspondence with Kallenbach provides a fascinating glimpse into the deep mutual respect they had for each other and how they had affected each other's thoughts and ideas.
In Richard Attenborough
Richard Attenborough
Richard Samuel Attenborough, Baron Attenborough , CBE is a British actor, director, producer and entrepreneur. As director and producer he won two Academy Awards for the 1982 film Gandhi...
's film, Gandhi
Gandhi (film)
Gandhi is a 1982 biographical film based on the life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who led the nonviolent resistance movement against British colonial rule in India during the first half of the 20th century. The film was directed by Richard Attenborough and stars Ben Kingsley as Gandhi. They both...
, Kallenbach was played by Günther Maria Halmer.
See also
- Charles Freer (Charlie) AndrewsCharles Freer AndrewsCharles Freer Andrews was an English priest of the Church of England. He was an educator and participant in the campaign for Indian independence, and became Mahatma Gandhi's closest friend and associate....
- Gandhi (film)Gandhi (film)Gandhi is a 1982 biographical film based on the life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who led the nonviolent resistance movement against British colonial rule in India during the first half of the 20th century. The film was directed by Richard Attenborough and stars Ben Kingsley as Gandhi. They both...