1999-2023 Artist in Puttaparthi
2004 Dasara
In 2004, I viewed the nine–day festival of the divine Mother, known as Dasara, or Navaratri. This is a Hindu festival as many of the celebrations are, however that does not preclude other religions as Sathya Sai Babas Logo shows he is all inclusive.
In 2004, I viewed the nine–day festival of the divine Mother, known as Dasara, or Navaratri. This is a Hindu festival as many of the celebrations are, however that does not preclude other religions as Sathya Sai Babas Logo shows he is all inclusive.
His Motto Love All Serve All .
The Dasara festival had a profound visual as well as spiritual effect on me. Originally I was not keen to view this ceremony, why you may ask? in England I had a very bad experience given by a disciple of a Hindu Doctor of Philosophy and religion named Shivananda or birth name Tarak Nath Ghosal, The weekend comprised of teaching Mantra a very dangerous course of mind manipulation for a new boy on the block. I had hoped to find on the course an understanding of Hindu philosophy, perhaps a touch of Advita with an understanding and compassionate approach as one might find in Christianity. This was not to be. The course was a disaster and was to put me off Indian festivals until I attend this compassionate and loving Sathya Sai Baba and his teaching on Vedanta.
To return to Dasara 2004 at Sai Baba's Ashram meaning ( Home of a holy man )
The first day, comprised of fire building on a podium with many priests chanting Mantra. That was quite enough for me, I left ASAP going back to my room and finding my wife there we refreshed the experiences I had in England and decided to stay clear of the celebration. However after a day or two and the chanting on the air of the Ashram I decided to visit again. This time I took the sketch pad and found the discomfort of the mantra bearable. So much so finding it quite pleasant as I continued with the drawings.
The three paintings seen represent the essence of the vivid illustrated experiences witnessed.
The paintings were blessed by Sri Sathya Sai Baba. He viewed and held the images, and commented, “Show them, they will be part of the history.”