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Compiled by Prakash Mody
NEWS IN BRIEF
Jain Memorabilia on Show Kollkata, India: A "Memorabilia on Jainism" Exhibition was hosted at the Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata (Calcutta) from 27 February to 5 March 2001. At the exhibition the paintings, photographs, artefacts, manuscripts and literature were all related to Jainism. A large number of non-Jains also visited the exhibition which was organised by the Bhagwan Mahavir 2600th Committee, Kolkata.
Indian Paintings at Philadelphia Museum Philadelphia, USA: As part of the 125th anniversary celebration of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, an exhibition of art. "Intimate Worlds: Masterpieces of Indian Paintings from the Alvin 0. Bellak Collection" went on view from 2 March to 29 April. Spanning the period before the rise of Islamic Mughal rule in Northern India during the 1500s, to the heydays of the British Raj in the late 19th century: the exhibition included vivid illustration of Hindu, Jain and Muslim religious stories, visions of life at Court, solemn and satirical portraits, evocations of the pleasures of love and depictions of superhuman horror. Among the works produced for the Jain, whose faith emerged around the sixth century, is one of the earliest works on paper created in the Indian sub-continent.
Branch of Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya Opened in Udaipur Udaipur, India: For the first time in its 85 year history, a branch of Shri Mahavir Jain Vidyala has been opened outside of the Gujarat and Maharashtra states. The learning centre was officially opened on 12 February 2001 by Shri Dipchand Gardi and other distinguished guests. The centre was constructed to educate the bright but poverty stricken Jains to achieve a college education.
Asia Week Art Fair & Auctions New York, USA: Since 1996, Asia Week, a biennial event has drawn an increasingly strong response from the art buyers, the cognoscenti and scholars. Encompassing auctions, previews, lectures and art fairs, Asia Week 2001 was more hectic than previous ones because of several new Indian-owned art galleries. The Sotheby's realised US$2.4 million through 70 lots sold out of 162 offered. The Christie's realised US$2.6 million for 114 lots sold from 200 offered. "It was a strong sale and we were satisfied with the results." said Yamini Mehta, a specialist in the Indian & Southeast Asian Art Dept. She noted that the quality Indian sculpture was sold very well and she was glad to see the field getting more recognition. The Arts of Pacific Asia Show and Asian Art Fair were held at the 69th Regiment Armoury, had an "extremely strong" opening with 84 exhibitors and a thousand or so attendees. It had eight lectures spread over two days. Amongst the items put on auction was a white marble Jina Mahavir of 4212" high sculpture from western India from circa 12th century, estimated to fetch between US$40,000 to 60.000. The Sixth International Asian Art Fair at the Seventh Regiment Armory included sales by John Eskenazi and Terence McInerney. Eskenazi offered a variety of arts from the religions of India & Tibet, including temple sculptures from Rajasthan. McInerny offered the complete set of painted pages from a Jain religious book dated from 1416. The fair offered a large range of Ganadharan Art. Indian Paintings at Philadelphia Museum A selection of Jain sculptures was on view at the Frederick Schultz Ancient Art Gallery. The 25 sculptures at the show described the jinas or spiritual heroes who are the most favoured subjects of Jain art. Among them were seventh century figures from western India, a metal Jina from Rajasthan and a 10th century bronze from south India.
PFA Steal Cheetah Skins Ludhiana, India: Representatives of People for Animals (PFA) entered an ashram with their shoes on and took two cheetah skins belonging to the Baba for meditation. This act of protest took place on the 18 March this year, but due to the mounting pressure from local leaders the skins were returned to the ashram. Mr Sandeep Jain, president of the PFA, was not available for comment. However the general secretary, Mr Ajay Jain, maintains that the representatives entered the ashram barefoot.
Kurt Titze Remembered Kurt Titze (1922-2001): It is sad news that after a short illness, Kurt Titze died recently. In 1988, during his journey in Shravan Belagola, south India, he sat at the feet of a naked Jain Monk and watched him as he plucked out his beard and the hair of his head without any expression. He knew that he would have to occupy himself with this unjustly ignored religion of non-violence - Jainism, if for no other reason than to do something against the actual violence which was being propagated by the media and becoming normality.
The first result of his studies was a paperback titled No Violence towards Man, Animal or Plant - Words of the Preparer of the Way, Mahavir, which was published in 1993 by the Berlin publishing house. Clemens Zerling and from which a few years later three chapters were to be printed for a teaching manual for Ethical Studies for grammar schools. At the end of 1998 the Indian publishers, Motilal Banarsidas, released a large-format book by Kurt Titze, with the title JAINISM - A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence. This is a fitting contribution to the festivities of the non-violent Jain - whose lay-followers, actually, aren't pacifists.
Fox Hunting Green Light London, UK: A passionate debate erupted in the House of Lords on 26 March whether or not fox-hunting should be banned. As we reported in the last issue of Jain Spirit (Issue 7. p 9) the Countryside Alliance reacted angrily when they became aware that the government might outlaw their beloved pastime. The House of Lords have now voted against a ban on fox-hunting by 317 to 68, a majority of 249, which was supported by a majority of 213 MPs in January this year. Peers then went on to vote that foxhunting should continue under a system of self-regulation.
Vegetarian Town Bans Meat Sales Palwal, India: The sale of meat has been banned in a north Indian town of Palwal to encourage vegetarianism among all its 150.000 inhabitants. Meat traders in the town, south of New Delhi, have reacted angrily to the ban and have already filed a petition.
June - August 2001. Jain Spirit 15
Jain Education International 2010_03
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