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VIDEO: Jose Pereira vs. Sanatan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uHkFqo2VGc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ncM67jAlcg
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CONTROVERSY: THE JOSE PEREIRA PAINTINGS
Below is a statement
from Dr Delio Mendonca
of the Alto Porvorim-
based Xavier Centre of
Historical Research
following the controversy
over an exhibition of
paintings there.
The XCHR regrets to announce the temporary withdrawal of
three paintings from its latest art exhibition, 'Epiphanies
of the Hindu Gods' by the eminent Sanskrit scholar and
wide-ranging intellectual giant, Dr. Jose Pereira.
For the last twenty-four hours, the Centre has come
under sustained pressure from the Hindu Janjagruti
Samiti and its members, who have filed a police
complaint against Dr. Pereira's paintings, and
indulged in a non-stop campaign of telephone
threats and warnings to the point of disrupting
normal communications for the XCHR. The anonymous
telephone calls have included many threats of
violence, including a threat of decapitation of the
80-yr-old artist, who incidentally suffers from
Parkinson's disease.
Dr. Pereira's 'Epiphanies of the Hindu Gods' are based
entirely on original Sanskrit scriptures, and their imagery
is derived entirely from the most characteristic iconography
of ancient India.
He has compiled a small encyclopedia of references to
classical Indian sculpture and painting that back up every
aspect of every painting in this exhibition, which have been
rendered in the same artistic spirit in which Dr. Pereira
paints nude images of Christ (also on display in the same
gallery). Contrary to the claim that these images are against
Indian culture, they actually embody the highest cultural
ideals of our great civilization.
Though the XCHR is co-operating with the police request to
temporarily withdraw these paintings, it strongly condemns
the threats and disrespect shown to this great Goan scholar.
We also regret the inconvenience caused to the art and
culture lovers of our state, and take the opportunity to
apologize to Dr. Pereira on behalf of the people and society
of Goa, which has again demonstrated a systemic failure in
its capacity to honour, appreciate and stand by its greatest
artists and intellectuals.
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SANATAN website coverage on the issue:
http://www.hindujagruti.org/news/9860.html
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UK STOCKS EXHAUSTED! After a community-supported launch at
Croydon, Selma Carvalho's *Into the Diaspora Wilderness* is
available at Broadways Book Centre, Panjim [Ph +91-9822488564]
Price (in Goa only) Rs 295. Ask a friend to pick up a copy.
Details of the book http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/
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