Unknown Life of Jesus Christ Old Edition 1894 Publication

Author(s): Nicholas Notovitch, Virchand R Gandhi, Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: World Jain Confederation

Page 20

INTRODUCTION.
xix zation with Western civilization. It is impossible to compare the industrial productions, hand wrought of India, with those of Europe, "turned out" as it is aptly phrasccl. by machines. Machinery and mechanical progress carrot loc ippoticed to try illtistir wrotki(Xerapie the avowell imitation or copying of great it works. It is true that the Ilindu irtist has his own traditions on decorative art, which is il crystalized tradition although perfect in form; it is true that the spirit of fine art which is latent in India, rcquires to be quickence into creative operations in these times. Still thic Indian Workman, from the humblest potter to the most cunning embroiderer in blue, purple, scarlet and gold. is it true artist. But has the Western civilization preserred his true character? Sir George Birdwood. who lived and studied in India for a number of years the native industries of that country, says in connection with the indian exhibits in the l'aris fixposition of 1978; ."lintiu collections are now also. infortunately, becoming it cvery succeeding exposition, morc and 111010 over-crowded with mongrel articles, the result of the influences on Indian art, of English society, missionary schools, schools of art, inne international exhibitions, and above all, of the irresistible energy of the mechanical productiveness of Man chester, Birmingham, Paris and Vicina."
Terry in his "Voyages to the East Indies," 1655, in describing the people of India writes: “The natives there show very much ingenuity in their curious mineTactures, its in their silk stuffs, which they most utilicially wcale, some of them very neatly mingleal with silver or gold, or both; as also in making quilts of Urcir stained clothi or of fresh colored tallinna line with their printidues (prints or chinez.), or el teir satin, lincel with tassata, betwist which they put pure cotton-wool.