Gokal Dembi
Siva Sutras
and Lal Vakhs painted
By
Special Correspondent
Saivism, as a philosophical credo, has remained integral to the social and
spiritual life of Kashmiris for over a millennium and a half. Kashmir Saivism
is also called 'Trika Sastra' as it is based on three postulates-Siva,
Sakti and Nara. The texts of Saivism called Agama, as per local
folklore, have been revealed by Siva. The basic Agama of the Trika Sastra is
Siva Sutras. According to Prof. MH Zaffar who teaches philosophy at
Kashmir University 'The Siva-Sutra read like aesthetically structured riddles
which radiate divine beauty and charm and are capable of many interpretations
depending upon the spiritual evolution of the interpreter'. Each Siva sutra is
loaded with a spiritual-philosophical formulation. Saivism has left a rich
legacy. Poetry of Lal Ded, Nunda Reshi and some sufiana poets is indicative of
this. Saintess Lal Ded, the pioneer of Kashmir
language was a renaissance figure who through her spirituality and poetry
brought the Saivite message closer to the common Kashmiri.
Gokal Dembi, a
master painter from Rainawari (Srinagar) has rendered yeomen service to
Kashmir's culture by painting Siva Sutras and Vakhs of Lal Ded. The rise of
militarised Islamic fundamentalism forced Dembi and his community out from
their homeland. As an anguished Kashmiri he gave vent to the agonies of losing
homeland in his artistic expressions. In his quest to build cultural anchors
to counter religious fundamentalism, now sweeping the Valley, Gokal Dembi
conceived a project 'Rishi Tradition of Kashmir' in early 2005. He took a
refreshed study of the poetry of Lal Ded and Nund Rishi in general and the
aspects of visual imagery in Kashmiri mysticism in particular. At Prof.
Zaffar's instance Dembi in his project--painting of Rishi Tradition started
with visual representation of Siva Sutras and Vakhs of Lal Ded as these happen
to be one of the basic texts of Kashmiri Rishi Tradition. Govt. of India
awarded him a Senior Fellowship to facilitate his work in this direction.
Gokal Dembi after working on the project for two years held an exhibition of
his painted work at Kala Kendra Jammu from November 30 to December 7, 2007.
The paintings include visual representation of 32 Saiva Sutras and 13 Vakhs of
Lal Ded. Paintings have been done on acrylic. It is first time that Siva
Sutras and Vakhs of Lal Ded have been painted. Before this we had visual
depiction of some tantras by another Kashmiri painter late GR Santosh.
Commenting on Dembi's work artist Rajender Tiku observes:
"With his experience as a painter and understanding as a seeker, Gokal Dembi
transcends the barrier of mere interpretation. Instead he comes forth with
strikingly impactful works with immaculate detail and a vivid meaning imparted
to each and every division in a particular space, the picture, a shape
entrenched in that division, a colour applied and finally the overall effect
created. No matter based upon a particular sloka, each painting evolves into
an independent entity with a visual impact of its own".
He
adds:
"Though it must be difficult to visualize the import of Siva Sutras, and
perhaps that is why Gokal Dembi begins with use of human form as a convenient,
perceptible and meaningful element with a tried and accepted connotation as a
visual. Since Siva Sutras also are essentially meant to understand and apply
the possibilities of spiritual upliftment and thereby the extreme liberation,
the figurative elements become even more pertinent and effective. It is all a
phenomenon with an intrinsic character to support realisation beyond visible
and tangible".
Source: Kashmir
Sentinel
|
