Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (MB)
Pics Ganesh S Perla

Mangalore, Dec 11: An exhibition of internationally known artist Jyoti Sahi's paintings and a lecture series by him opened at Kalaangann heritage centre complex on Sunday evening.

Professor and head at the Chair in Christianity, Mangalore University Dr John Fernandes welcomed the gathering. He also introduced the chief guest, CSI south Karnataka Bishop Emeritus C L Furtado and artist Jyoti Sahi.

Inaugurating the exhibition and lecture series, Bishop Furtado stressed the dire need interreligious dialogue and harmony at the global level as well as the local context.

Jyoti Sahi began the lecture series dwelling upon the subject "Nature and Culture" and also how to derive art from nature.

Lawrence Pinto proposed a vote of thanks. The lectures will be held every evening between 5 and 7 up to December 13.

About Sahi

Jyoti Sahi was born in 1944 and was trained in art by Sudhir Khastigir, a disciple of 'Gurudev' Rabindranath Tagore. From 1959 to 1963 he studied Art in London. He spent some years as a disciple of Bede Griffiths at Kurisumala and Shantivanam Ashrams. He also studied Indian Symbolism and Christian Theology. He has worked in the field of Hindu-Christian dialogue.

Since 1972, he and his family have settled down in an art-ashram at Silvepura, near Bangalore. His paintings are mostly on religious themes. He is also a writer on art and spirituality. He has published books and articles on his subject. He has mastery over combining Indian images and symbols with Christian themes. i has become popular among art-loving Mangaloreans though his exhibition and symposia conducted in November 2003.