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2500th Anniversary of the Nirvana of Bhagavan Mahavira at Visva Bharati, Santi Niketan
The University of Visva Bharati, Santi Niketan, West Bengal duly observed this year the holy occasion of the 2500th Nirvana Anniversary of Bhagavan Mahavira. The programme undertaken in this connection was unique in this state and also memorable due to its observance at a place which retains the lyrical fragrance of Tagore's genius and reminiscences of his life. The programme highlighted some of the salient traits of Jainism as a religion, a philosophy and an inspiration of art and architecture.
The Seminar on Evolution of Jaina Art and Jaina Logic was inaugurated at Cheena Bhavana on March 31, 1976. The function began at 10 A.M. with Mangalācaranam, song, and recitation of a Bengali poem composed by Sri Ganesh Lalwani. After a welcome address by Prof. S. C. Sen Gupta, Principal, Vidya Bhavan Dr. S. C. Sinha, Upacarya of Visva Bharati inaugurated the Seminar. Sri M.N. Deshpande, Director General of Archaeology, Sri B. S. Nahar and others spoke on the occasion. Dr. P. C. Gupta, Vice-Chancellor, Rabindra Bharati, Calcutta presided over the function.
The Exhibition of Jaina Art was opened at Sinha Sadan at 11 A.M. by the Upacarya. The exhibits gave a display of photographs of ancient monuments and sculptures apart from bringing to view a series of watercolours produced by Sri Lalwani. While the monuments and sculptures epitomise the feelings and the tenets of the Nirgrantha through the landscape of history, the paintings with their motifs, diagrams and composition of colours visualised the mystery of the Jaina Cosmology and the Navatattva or Nine Principles aimed at the liberation of soul from the bondage of karma. Another group of paintings on Jainism in Bengal by Sri Bibhuti Sengupta and Sri Sudhamaya Dasgupta was also on view.
At 5 P.M. of the same day Sri M. N. Deshpande delivered an illuminating lecture with slides on Jaina Monuments at Cheena Bhavan. Prof. S. K. Saraswati, the renowned Indologist, graced the occasion as President.
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