BUDDHA IN SAMADHI OiL PAINTINGS

Heart sutra is esoteric and concretization of Madhyamic Sunya Vada ofNagarjuna. Art critic and artist Rajesh Shukla writes, This Sutra isthe answer to a critical question asked by Sariputta; it is thatquestion which Buddha did not answer. So According to the sutra Buddhadid not preach it directly; it is Avalokiteshvara who taught it. Butthe nature of Sutra is unique and was not taught to ordinary disciplesbecause it was a sacred discourse, very mystical and profound and cannot be understood by unqualified person. Avalokiteshvara representsNagarjuna's Philosophy in which he have tried to answer Buddha'sSilence. So heart Sutra is the answer of Buddha's Silence. Sneh Gangalhas tried to paint this philosophical discourse in her two set ofpaintings that form a unique Mandala if put together. It is because ofthese two paintings show gets its title, however other works are alsofocused on the same subject. Sneh Gangal has painted this figurativemandala with delicacy and details. In the detailing her mastery ofkangara miniature plays very important role. She is master of Kangraminiature and for that she has conferred president award too in 2003.She says, My understanding of miniature gave strength to paint itbecause the delicacy it demanded was already with me. Some of herfigurative works are strikingly catching and breaks monotony of Buddhapaintings by many artists. Many artists have taken Buddha as an objectso there is objectification no essence. Whatever Sneh has painted shehas painted with freedom and has succeeded in her exposition of heartsutra . It's is very tough to capture essence of heart sutra in afigurative language because of its philosophical abstraction. SnehGangal says, initially I was not finding the way but more studies anddiscussions on it with my husband I conceptualized it and finally worksstarted coming out'. Heart Sutra is highly meditative in its philosophyAvalokitesvara says, All the Buddhas who abide in the three times havefully awakened into unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment independence on the perfection of wisdom. In the Mahayana Buddhism heartsutra is regarded as a gem and believed that by mere recitation andmemorization of the sutra realization can take place. Heart sutra canalso be used as a mantra since it in the end a very powerful mantra istaught. In Tibetan Buddhism heart sutra is used as tantra since it hasall the three elements of tantra i.e. outer, inner and the secret. SnehGangal in her figurative exposition takes both the meanings of heartsutra. She says, Its Tantrik interpretation gives us some imagery andI have tried to exploit it in my paintings.
-- Art Critic and artist Rajesh Shukla

Buddha meditating on Griddha Kuta Mount. This art was a part of show 'heart of the secret' of artist sneh gangal.