Kanu Gandhi (photographer) Biography 
Kanu Gandhi was an Indian professional photographer. He lived with Mahatma Gandhi in different ashrams during his lifetime and was a member of his personal staff. As a photographer he captured many pictures of his granduncle from 1938 until his assassination in 1948.
Kanu Gandhi was born to Narandas Gandhi, a nephew of the Mahatma Gandhi in 1917. His father served as a manager at his Sabarmati Ashram. Kanu’s mother’s name is Jamuna Gandhi. He spent his early days in Sabarmati ashram with his parents since the age of two. Later he spent many years at Wardha. His early education was done at Sabarmati ashram, where he stayed during his childhood days. He also joined national freedom struggle movement in his teens, and got arrested and jailed at the age of 15 for his participation in Civil Disobedience Movement.
Initially he wanted to become a doctor. However he later joined as personal staff of Mahatma Gandhi. He served in supervised clerical and accountant post for 10 years since 1938. He was nicknamed "Bapu's Hanuman", and he was very much attached to his granduncle. He married Abhaben Chatterjee as wished by Kasturba Gandhi.
When Shivaji Bhave, Vinobha Bhave’s brother, on a visit to Wardha, requested Kanu to take his photographs with Mahatma Gandhi, it was initially declined by his granduncle. But he was later granted permission on three conditions, including finding fund for photography. Kanu met the costs of photography through a monthly stipend. He also sold some of his photographs to newspapers. He was not formally trained, yet succeeded in this field.
Following Gandhi’s assassination in 1948, Kanu and Abha Gandhi shifted to Rajkot, where they ran Kasturbadham and Rashtriyashala institutes. He was only lately recognized as a photographer after his death, though many of his pictures were featured in many printed books on Gandhi. He passed away on 20 February 1986.
Published: November 23, 2018
Updated: November 23, 2018
