PORVORIM, JULY 28
Denouncing protests against the exhibition of paintings by Dr Jose Pereira at the Xavier Centre of Historical Research, Porvorim, the curator of the exhibition has argued that the paintings have been backed by multiple references with Sanskrit scriptures.
“Each painting in the exhibition is based directly on descriptive passages in the Original Sanskrit texts and each figure is derived from existing temple carving, sculptures and paintings,” said Vivek Menezes, curator of the exhibition.
It may be recalled that the Xavier Centre of Historical Research, Porvorim, had temporarily called off the exhibition of paintings by Dr Jose Pereira, after Hindu Jangruti Samiti (HJS) lodged a complaint against three paintings displayed at the exhibition.
The painting exhibition ‘Epiphanies of the Hindus Gods’ by Dr Pereira was opened at Xavier Centre of Historical Research on July 24. The HJS had raised objections against three paintings, which allegedly depicted Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva with unclothed women.
The HJS filed a complaint with Porvorim Police station in this regard. Police Inspector Devendra Gad visited Xavier Centre of Historical Research and conveyed to XCHR incharge Fr Delio Mendonsa about the objections raised by HJS.
Fr Mendonsa temporarily withdrew the paintings immediately from the exhibition to avoid further controversies and later closed down the exhibition.
Speaking to Herald, PI Gaad said he has forwarded the complaint from HJS to the Director of Prosecution for his opinion.
“The High Court in one of its judgments has stated that such paintings cannot be termed as an ‘offence’, as such types of paintings are seen in some of the ancient temples in India,” said PI Gad.
Curator of the Exhibition, Vivek Menezes said the exhibition of paintings by Dr Pereira was recently held at the International Centre at New Delhi and paintings were appreciated by the people.
“The founder and former Academic Director of Indira Gandhi National Centre of Arts, New Delhi, Dr Kapila Vatsayan was associated with this exhibition,” said Menezes.
“‘Epiphanies of the Hindus Gods’ is a unique suite of pastel paintings conceived by the artist as tribute to his Hindu ancestry and to the Indian classical tradition to which he has devoted a lifetime of prodigious scholarship,” added Menezes.
“Each of the painting has backed by multiple references with Sanskrit scriptures as well as visual references from Ancient Indian Culture like Thanjavur temples, Chola Bronzes and Ellora caves,” said Menezes.
“Each painting in the exhibition is based directly on descriptive passages in the Original Sanskrit texts and each figure is derived from existing temple carving, sculptures and paintings,” he added.
“It is a unique body of work made even more impressive by the fact the artist has executed them at the summation of a magnificent scholarly career despite setback of Parkinson’s disease,” added Menezes.
“Dr Jose Pereira is a Sanskrit scholar and has been teaching Sanskrit in USA for over 40 years. It is unfortunate that some people have protested against these painting baselessly. He considers it a cultural tragedy,” said Menezes.