Shiva through the eyes of artist-sculptor-poet Satish Gupta

New Delhi, Mar 20 (UNI) Artist, sculptor and poet Satish Gupta's book "Centering Awareness" baring his spiritual self was released here last evening by former Union Minister Karan Singh.

Dr Singh also unveiled "Kalyanasundara Shiva", a 12-feet tall copper sculpture of Lord Shiva at the walkways of the India Habitat Centre by lighting a lamp.

The book "Centering Awareness" opens with a small poem by the artist "Water flowing, No time to pass judgement on uneven boulders".

"It's about so many things I have experienced on my long journey to centre myself, centring my awareness and being open to life," he added.

The artist, who is a follower of the Zen way of life, focuses in an essay in the book on his 30 long years of journey of manifesting the divine in his art, elucidated by ink drawings. The book documents the artist's works including drawings and pictures of the sculptures of Shiva.

It illustrates manuscripts with paintings, several texts of 'Shaivism' and the 112 'Dharanas' of Shiva as told to his wife Parvati.

The book, produced in an international format, is a coffee table publication with its large format -297mm x 420mm and 282 pages in an exclusive presentation box. It has an inlaid copper sculpture by the artist and is priced at Rs 27,500.

While unveiling Dr Gupta's giant copper sculpture, Dr Karan Singh said it was the most creative 'Shiva' face he had seen. If the third eye is removed it becomes 'Buddha'.

The book which started as a portfolio for the sculpture, goes further to disclose the inspiration and process of the art of the artist.

An exhibition based on the book also opened presenting 'Shiva' in various forms as Buddha, Durga, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Krishna, Kali, Hanuman, Balaji and even as Christ reflecting his omnipresence.

UNI