Bernie Meyer has an alter ego - Mahatma Gandhi. In fact, he is rather proud of the fact that he is more commonly known as the Mahatma in his close circles, than by his real name. Courtesy his theatrical skills, he has been playing the Mahatma for eight years now. On his seventh visit to India, Bernie is participating in the International Peace Festival that kicked off today.

In 2001, Bernie, a resident of Olympia Washington, was asked by his fellowship council to come dressed as the Mahatma for an event. “Though I had read about Gandhi but my knowledge lacked depth. The part I was asked to play got me interested and since then, I am living with him,” shares Bernie.

For Don Mcavinchey too, who has been portraying Mahatma Gandhi for almost three years, it did not come easy. This 53-year-old US citizen, started researching as much as he could about Gandhi to “get the feel of the person” and it now reflects in his persona, at stage and otherwise. “Saying that I am obsessed with him will be the right way to put it. Like millions worldwide, he has influenced me tremendously. I have become a calmer and more compassionate person,” shares Don. He has been studying the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi for more than 25 years, which he says were the real trigger for the portrayal. “My hair style too came handy,” smiles the social worker who works with the department of health in Mexico .

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