Mayapura Vaisnava Art Series
Art programs in Mayapur
Community members of Iskcon Mayapur have been attending presentations on Vaisnava Art. These programs which are run regularly in the Community Hall focus on a specific art form each meet. The idea is to support the local artists and get the community involved in the development of Vaisnava arts and culture.
The first week featured Vaisnava poetry and local poets including Murari Gupta Das and Braj Sevaki Dasi read their own works and shared inspirations. Poetry for from previous äcäryas was also read and discussed.


Drdha Das displays some of his drawings


Yasoda Dhulal Das displays a painting of ‘Prabhupada’s Car’

The visual or fine arts night was a real crowd pleaser. The community was in awe as individual artist displayed their paintings and sketches. Drdha Vrata Das, an American born gurukuli who trained in South India, displayed some fabulously detailed sketches of Srila Prabhupada and also some of his work which utilizes Vedic art techniques. Other artists who presented works include Yasodadhulal Das, Jahnu Dvipa Das, Gauranga Simha Das, Subhangi Mata Dasi and Saci Mata Dasi.


Janhu Das talks art to the community

The Vaisnava Drama and Dance night featured a performance of the play ‘Bilvamangal Thakura in Vrindavan’ and a sample of Orissan Dance. Devotees were also engaged in interactive exercises where they worked in groups to perform a sketch. Yaksa Das discussed Vaisnava drama theory and presented ideas from Bharata Muni’s Natakya Shastra and Rupa Goswami’s Lalita Madhava. Sita Dasi performed an Orissan dance extract and discussed Orissan dance.


Murari Hari Das plays a bhajan

Vaisnava music night was opened by the Mayapur youth bhajana group. They showed great enthusiasm in their bhajans and listen respectively while senior devotees discussed theory. Murari Hari Prabhu, who was personally instructed by Prabhupada to ‘teach music to the devotees’, talked of mood and technique. He is a master musician and also displayed his wonderful talents. Vagesha Prabhu, from the Bhaktivedanta Academy, spoke in detail of the history and influenced of Gaudiya Vasinava music and raga.


Vaigisha Das discusses Vaisnava music

These art programs will continue throughout the year delving deeper in the subject of Vaisnava arts. Anyone who wishes to contribute or attend can contact Yaksa Das on +91 9609 469 163

Sankirtana the dog also enjoys a nice bhajan