Jain Spirit 2005 12 No24

SR No.: 529004
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 102
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, UK_Jain Spirit, & UK
File Size: 21 MB

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CRUZARICAL
S PROVIDE
60 SECONDS WITH ROBERT ARNETT
How long has photography been a part of your life? Over 40 years! I was always interested in drawing and colouring pictures in childhood, and realised that I had a knack for photography after graduating, when I was in the military
overseas.
How has India been involved? My first trip to India was not to do a book but to visit the country that had such a profound impact on my life through having practised Raja meditational Yoga for 25 years. After returning I realised that I had some very good photographs. It was only then that I decided to do an illustrated book to share the India I loved with the Western world, which in my opinion has no clue of what the beauty of Indian culture entails.
What is it that draws you to India? The spirituality, the innate peacefulness of the people, devotion and strong sense of family values.
You have numerous Jain photos in India Unveiled. What has been your experience of Jainism in your life, personal and photographic? The aspect of Jainism that definitely helped me the most, which I was not aware of until I studied the religion, is the concept of 'multiplicity of viewpoints'. Coming to the understanding has helped me function more harmoniously with others by realising that someone's viewpoint that is different from mine may be just as valid for them. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate details of Jain temple carvings. The temples in India probably have the finest carved details in the world.
60 SECONDS WITH SMITA TURAKHIA
How long has art been a part of your life? I always had the creativity inside of me and a good eye for aesthetics and design. My parents always supported and encouraged me to pursue art as a hobby and in India I took private lessons from many artists. After my marriage, when I moved to the US, my art training involved live figure drawing and various art mediums for two years. But most of all I love playing with colours.
How is India involved? Living in the US, I wanted to portray the beauty of the Indian culture as best as I could to help Indian-American children understand and take pride in their cultural heritage, and also to introduce the culture to children from other places. Finders Keepers? is set in Mt. Abu and is being very well received in schools and libraries in America. This will help introduce the beauty of India, to include the splendour of Jain temple carvings and the sensitivity of Jainism to all life and creation.
What draws you to it? The traditional values have always had a great appeal to me. Even in college, my classmates teased me about not adopting the more 'sophisticated' ways of the West. Living in America for almost 25 years, though I see the wonderful qualities this country offers, I feel that by combining the best of East and West, we can become stronger.
You depict Jainism in lots of your pictures. What has your experience been of Jainism in your life, personally and artistically? I was born in a Jain family and I have brought up my children vegetarian. Our diet still reflects many Jain influences. I live a life based on my 'needs' and not on 'wants', which has enabled me to devote my time to doing things that I love, rather than getting a job merely for financial rewards. The Jain picture in Finders Keepers? shares the gentleness of Jainism and its respect for the environment and towards all creation.
Do you both have plans for the future? We plan to do another children's story together that is also set in India. It also shares moral and ethical values. We are working on 'sharing India' through India Travelling Photo Exhibit in as many major cities as possible in the USA and abroad.
Find out more at www.atmanpress.com⚫
REBECCA HOH
in Education International
NEWS FEATURES
Robert Amett
WWW.JAINSPIRIT.COM
Smita Turakhia www.jainelibrary.org 25