# Art ## Art as a Preaching Tool 67-12 =="The pictures of Lord Krsna and His expansions are particularly meant for giving a chance to the neophytes for offering devotional service. It was very nice that Purna dasa offered respects to the sankirtana painting. That will enlarge Krsna consciousness.== Your program for publishing pictures in details of great authorities like Bhisma and others is very much appreciated... I would advise, unless there is dire necessity, you should not divert your attention from painting. Somehow or other you have to manage everything in full cooperation, but your main engagement is painting." ([[letters/1967/671212_jadurani|Jadurani, 12 December, 1967]]) *** 67-12 "Now by Krsnas grace we have got many fine art students like Govinda dasi, Indira dasi, and Malati and many others. So as director of the art department, you should organize them in one place and overflood with pictures. ==We require these pictures in large quantities both for selling and for decoration.== So I think you should immediately organize these potential artists in one place, either in San Francisco or New York, or wherever you like, and give daily at least one dozen pictures." ([[letters/1967/671223_jadurani|Jadurani, 23 December, 1967]]) *** 68-03 "Please continue to help all the young girls, both in New York and San Francisco as well. If they take to following your example of sincere service, they will all be advanced in Krsna consciousness very rapidly. ==Your example is very nice, using your artistic abilities to serve Krsna,== and they may all follow in your footsteps. I think there is no need for coming to San Francisco, and most of the girls are there, and recently Annapuma dasi has left for Boston, also. She is very nice young girl, and with artistic abilities. So you please her as she arrives there." ([[letters/1968/680316_jadurani|Jadurani, 16 March, 1968]]) *** 68-03 =="I am so pleased to hear of the activities of Jadurani and her artist assistants. We require this service, as we require so many pictures.== Pictures, books, etc., all we shall sell on world tour with our *sankirtana* party. So we require a lot of pictures in stock; and wherever we open our centers, we must have at least Pancatattva picture, Visnu picture, *sankirtana* painting and the spiritual masters picture, and Radha-Krsna painting—they are all required. Therefore, Krsna has sent so many devotees to work on the painting department, so we have to utilize them fully, so their service is fully utilized for advancing in Krsna consciousness. Thanking you once more for your sincere service, and I hope you are well." ([[letters/1968/680322_balai|Balai, 22 March, 1968]]) *** 68-04 "You are already a great artist. ==You don't want to become a great artist to satisfy the senses of the public. If your present paintings are not acceptable to the general public, I do not mind; they are fools.== You continue trying your best to make your pictures as far as they can be nice looking, but not to satisfy the senses of the rascal public. Yesterday, I have been in a Unitarian church and there I saw two pictures of only logs and bamboos, and I was explained by our great artist Govinda dasi that these are modern abstract arts. Anyway, I couldn't see in them nothing but combination of logs and bamboos. There was nothing to impel my Krsna consciousness. So, if you want to be a great artist in that way, I will pray that Krsna may save you. Anyway, if the public doesn't buy, we don't mind. Why are you anxious for selling? We shall distribute them to devotees without any price. If our things have no market in the sense gratification society that does not mean we are going to change our principles. We are meant for satisfying Krsna, not anybody's senses. That should be the principle of our life. In this connection I may remark that you have sent one picture of Narada Muni which I understand was copied from some so-called great artist, but Narada Muni's body appears to be very sensuous. He was a first-class *brahmacari.* He cannot have such a sensuous body. So you will do well not to work from the so-called well-known artists. But you should follow exactly the descriptions of the scriptures. The picture of Narada Muni which you painted in New York in my presence was very nice and good looking, but this picture here doesn't appeal to me. Better not to worry about this sort of technique and style. Anyway, whenever I come there to New York, we can discuss all this as you suggested." ([[letters/1968/680408_jadurani|Jadurani, 8 April, 1968]]) *** 68-04 "I am in due receipt of your letter post-dated April 11th and this is the first time I received your letter finished in 3 lines, so I can understand that you have been depressed by receiving my last letter. The idea that there is a story that I have lost my caste and still my belly is not fulfilled.' In India it is the custom that the Hindus do not ever take meals in the house of a Mohammadan, Christian, or anyone other than the house of a Hindu *brahmana.* But a man was very hungry and accidently he took his food in the house of a Mohammadan. And when he wanted still more food, the man refused, as the man could not supply. So the Hindu man said, 'Sir, I have lost my caste and still I am hungry!' Similarly, if artistic pictures as they are approved by the people in general in this country can be sold quickly, I have not any objection to present our pictures in such a way. But I know that pictures in this country are sold not on the merit of the picture, but on the reputation of the artist. That system is also current in India. But to come to the point of a reputed artist will require long duration of time. And our time is very short. We have to finish our Krsna consciousness during our lifetime, and we should not waste a single moment for anything else. According to *Caitanya-caritamrta,* a man is famous who is known as a great devotee of Krsna. So if there is no possibility of selling our pictures immediately on presentation, I do not think there is any necessity to improve our artistic craftsmanship. We should be satisfied with our pictures hanging in our different temples. But we may not sacrifice our valuable time for becoming famous artists so that pictures may be sold like hotcakes. Our institution is mainly for the devotees and as it is the custom in India, devotees are maintained by the general public, who are engaged in materialistic activities for sense gratification. But in this country it is not possible that the *brahmacaris* or *sannyasis* shall beg from door to door as it is the custom in India. But at the same time we require some money for conducting our business of our Society. Therefore, the idea was that we may sell some pictures but so far I understand that even if we follow the principles of modern artists, still our pictures like Narada Muni, Panca-tattva, etc., will not have immediate prospective market. ==If there is actually any prospect for selling our pictures put up in this modern artistic way, then I have no objection for putting pictures in this way for selling them.== But if that is not possible, then I think we should not waste time in this way. Of course, I am not an artist, neither I have power to see from artistic viewpoint; I am a layman, so whichever picture appeals to me I say it is nice, and whichever picture does not appeal to me I say it is not nice. That is my common sense affair. Therefore, my remark has no value from artistic sense. Anyway, don't be depressed, you can go on with your work and we shall talk more on this subject when we meet together. I have replied Yadunandana's letter and I wish that you all should read that letter, because it contains some valuable information about our preaching method, and many intelligent questions by him have been replied in that letter. Hoping you are all well." ([[letters/1968/680413_jadurani|Jadurani, 13 April, 1968]]) *** 68-06 =="Yes, please decorate the temple with as many pictures as possible. And Jadurani is very kind and liberal to supply us pictures. She is never tired of painting, and that makes her increased in Krsna consciousness."== (SPL to Rupanuga, June, 1968) *** 68-07 "My first thanks to you because your picture has attracted the attention of Swami Satcitananda's students. This means your picture is helping us forward in Krsna consciousness so that we could attract even the *yogis* like Satcitananda's students. Actually this is the fact. There is a verse in *Srimad-Bhagavatam* which was explained by Lord Caitanya in 64 different ways before Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya. In that verse it is stated that even the *atmaramas* or the persons who take transcendental pleasure in their own self—actually people should be trained up to be happy with one's own self. So the *yogis* and the philosophers, they are trying to be satisfied with their own self. But even such persons are attracted by the pastimes of Radha-Krsna, because the transcendental qualities of Radha-Krsna are attractive for persons who are already liberated from the 3 material qualities. Anyway the picture which you sent to Montreal is well received here and everyone is speaking highly of your painting capacity and I am so pleased to see the picture. And you have improved very much in your painting capacity also by serving Krsna so faithfully by the talent which Krsna has endowed you with. Yesterday there was meeting of the Indians and all of them spoke very highly of your picture. Please try to paint the following pictures in quantity, namely 'Mohan Madhuri' which you have sent here in Montreal, that is to say Radha and Krsna with the 8 principal *gopis;* the *sankirtana* picture of Lord Caitanya; and Panca-tattva. These pictures should be popularized in our movement and try to paint them very nicely. ==I am anxious about you because you are conducting one of the important departments of our activities, namely, painting of pictures and this will make your life successful.== Keep yourself always healthy because you have to work so much for Krsna, and whenever you feel some difficulty you may immediately inform me. This girl, Madhavi Lata has come here to stay for some days, and I learned that several girls have come from New York to you; I do not know what they are doing and I shall be glad to hear from you further in this matter." ([[letters/1968/680709_jadurani|Jadurani, 9 July, 1968]]) *** 68-09 "Regarding yourself and Jadurani: You are both very sincere servitors to the cause of Krsna, and Krsna will give you the necessary intelligence how to behave with one another. I am glad to learn that the girls under the guidance of Jadurani are doing nice painting work and ==I am very much inclined to have many many sankirtana pictures painted like the one which was in your Boston temple== on the wall, while I was there. ==I have one photograph of this picture and it is so nice that I feel my joys unlimited. (See enclosed sketch for identifying the exact painting I am speaking of.) Our Madhavi Lata is also a good artist. She is painting a very nice picture of Radha-Krsna seated on a swing. But she is a little independent spirited and wants to wander with me. Anyway, she is a sincere good soul, and let her do the work in her own way. But it is a good asset for her that she has attraction to hear me. That will make her all right in the due course of time, and it may be that she will also come out a great painting assistant in our Society." (SPL to * Satsvarupa, 27th September, 1968* ) 68-10 "I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter undated, but I know this letter was received a few days ago, and I could not reply earlier on account of heavy pressure of so many letters. Anyway, I may inform you it does not matter that you cannot paint one picture daily, but you go on doing it, as many pictures as you can finish in a month or in a week. Do it nicely and I don't press upon you. But the idea is that I wanted so many pictures for *Srimad-Bhagavatam,* but ==I wish that some of my disciples, either individually or collectively may produce at least half a dozen pictures daily. Anyway I think Krsna will give you strength more and more. Do not stop your work, go on painting as far as possible.== Regarding your question, what color is the ocean of milk, it is white. You can make it bluish shade in order to distinguish that it is water. Visnu's color is sky blue, and Laksmi's color is just like gold, molten gold. Laksmi is not always with Visnu, there are many Visnu forms Who is alone. That form is called Vasudeva Visnu. No demigod remains with Visnu. Demigods are destined to live within the material world. In the spiritual world there is no place for the demigods, but those who are elevated to the position of pure devotee, they can be promoted to the spiritual world. In the material world, either ordinary living entities and the demigods, they belong to the same category *pancha-tattva,* the marginal potency of Visnu. The marriage ceremony of Vasudeva and Devaki; the daughter Devaki was offered by her father named Devaka, to Vasudeva, and Devaka had 8 daughters, and all the 8 daughters were offered to Vasudeva. The marriage is performed generally by a priest. Sacrificial fire you have seen in our ceremonies, it is in the same way, but there are some decorations, just like a canopy is made with 4 pillars and it is decorated with green foliage and flowers, and water pot, under each stand, and in this way, it is decorated. And just outside the canopy, the relatives and other *brahmanas,* they sit down to see the marriage ceremony going on. The omen was heard while Kamsa was carrying his sister and brother-in-law in the chariot. There were hundreds of other chariots also, given in dowry. The omen was heard that is was addressed to Kamsa that, 'My dear Kamsa, you are so joyfully carrying your sister but you do not know that a son, the 8th son of your sister will kill you.' The 8th son of Devaki was Krsna Himself, and before Krsna, all the sons of Devaki were taken by Kamsa and killed." ([[letters/1968/681021_muralidhara|Muralidhara, 21 October, 1968]]) *** 68-12 "I was happy to read your recent letter (undated) and to see how you are working hard and now you are sending your finished paintings to our various centers to be appreciated. You will be pleased to know that ==our London center has managed to have one local newspaper devote a two page spread to a comic book feature of the story of Prahlada Maharaja== as depicted by Gaurasundara and Govinda dasi. ==This is very nice propaganda== so as much as possible we should try for overflooding publications with similar of our stories. We have so many artists now in Boston and also New York so if someone can work on this idea it will be very nice." ([[letters/1968/681205_jadurani|Jadurani, 5 December, 1968]]) *** 68-12 "I know that now there is a shortage of hands in our Seattle center, so why not remain there to help out Upendra and the others. Also your services to attract *brahmacarinis* will be very valuable in Seattle. I know that you are a very nice artist even without the guidance of Jadurani, so for the time being you should remain in Seattle and paint independently. You should work to paint very quickly and very beautifully because we have need of such talented artists. When Jadurani first began to paint she was slow, but now that she has practiced she has become very expert and quick. So this practice is what will improve all areas of your already very nice art work. [TEXT MISSING] size, that is very good idea. ([[letters/1968/681212_ananda|Joy Fulcher, 12 December, 1968]]) You have got some poetic sense also, and all these talents, the artistic sense and the poetic sense, can be engaged in the service of Krsna. All devotees are more or less poets. Out of 26 qualifications of a perfect devotee one is poetic sense. So we can write so many poetries in praise of the Lord, or about His pastimes. Similarly, ==we can draw so many nice pictures about His different activities, and such engagements will give us chance to elevate ourselves to the perfectional platform of spiritual understanding."== ([[letters/1968/681121_joy_fulcher|Joy Fulcher, 21 November, 1968]]) *** 68-12 "I have looked at the two small pictures you sent, and I approve of both of them. This is called Rajasthan style, and it is very nice. These 2 pictures, if nicely painted, will look very good in our temples. Also, there is one very nice photograph of my Guru Maharaja which I want you to paint, and I will send it to you there. It was found by Gurudasa in London and he has sent me two copies of it. It was taken just after his acceptance of *sannyasa* and with the *Srimad-Bhagavatam* opened before him. So I shall send it. So far Los Angeles temple is concerned, ==we have just now leased a very big church, with large meeting hall and various compartments, so here we shall need many very large paintings for making the hall attractive. If it is possible, you can paint very large ones,== as large or even larger than the one you sent to Montreal of the *gopis.* Regarding the gesso sizing of the canvases: If they last for 20 years that is fine and plenty long enough. The other process sounds too complicated, and this plastic sounds to be very nice." ([[letters/1968/681214_jadurani|Jadurani, 14 December, 1968]]) *** 68-12 =="I am happy to learn that you are painting a portrait of my Guru Maharaja and that it is coming along nicely. As our movement continues to spread around the world we will be requiring so many of such paintings so that so many devotees and friends may engage their eyes in seeing Krsna and His devotees. So please try to improve your artistic abilities as far as possible. I am sure that Jadurani will always be a help to you in this matter."== ([[letters/1968/681219_rukmini|Rukmini, 19 December, 1968]]) *** 69-02 "I am pleased to note that you and your nice sister, Indira dasi, are making and tending to Lord Jagannatha Deities. You should place these Deities on sale in Gargamuni's store for selling. In this way, you will make some money for doing your painting work. You should practice developing your good painting skills very thoroughly and if you are ready I can send you many *Bhagavatam* pictures to do. Jadurani is now sick for some time, and I have asked her to cease all of her activities. There are some paintings lying in Boston, perhaps unfinished, and, if time permits, you can go there with your sister to see them. If Jadurani likes, you can finish up these pictures for the *Krsna* book. ==Picture painting is one of our important departments, so please try and become very expert.== You should be at least as expert as Jadurani, and that will be a great pleasure for me. Rukmini is also becoming very much expert in her artistic work." ([[letters/1969/690201_ekayani|Ekayani, 1 February, 1969]]) *** 69-02 =="Our Vaisnava religion is so vast that we can supply millions of pictures and hundreds and thousands of literary contributions in this paper.== In the Christian religion they have got pictures like the crucifixion and a few similar others. In the Buddhist religion they have got the picture of Lord Buddha. In the Mohammadan religion they have got pictures of Mecca, Medina and I do not know what is the picture in the Jewish religion. But so far as our Krsna consciousness is concerned, we can supply millions of pictures of Krsna, Visnu and Their multi incarnations, as well as Their transcendental pastimes." ([[letters/1969/690205_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 5 February, 1969]]) *** 69-02 =="I am pleased to note that you are painting nicely, so go on improving your abilities because we will require so many paintings for our temples. You may paint pictures of Guru Maharaja, me, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Gaurakisora, Panca-tattva, sankirtana, etc. We have immense work to be done so you become expert painter. That will engladden me, and it will be a great benefit to all society. Thanking you once more for your letter. I hope this will meet you in good health."== ([[letters/1969/690225_kancanbala|Kancanbala, 25 February, 1969]]) *** 69-03 "Best thing will be if you can engage your time and energy fully in chanting and in painting nice pictures. You are a very talented girl, and you can paint very super excellent pictures, I have seen it. Now the thing is that we are opening new branches all over the world, and we require so many pictures in our temples so that people may come and see and be attracted by the beauty of Krsna. That is needed. The people today are fascinated by so much of the glimmering of the so-called beauty of the external energy and ==there is necessity of seeing beautiful pictures of Krsna and His devotees and His pastimes, in order to attract them to the spiritual process. So this is a great service,== and there is urgent need for such paintings. Our Jadurani has done so many nice pictures, and they are distributed amongst our temples, but still there is a shortage of supply and she is now sick, and unable to work very swiftly due to her health condition. So I request you to simply sit down wherever you are and paint nice pictures for being distributed to all centers. This will help you, and it will help others as well." ([[letters/1969/690319_brahmanandaa|Madhavi Lata dasi, 19 March, 1969]]) *** 69-06 "I can understand that you are having some difficulty in finding time to paint because of your other duties, but I think that all of these duties may be stopped so you can devote your full energy and time to painting. ==This painting you are doing is very important, so it will count as your temple work.== There is no necessity either for you to go out on *sankirtana* if this will take away your time from your real work. I understand that you are also very musically talented, but this talent is not so much required on *sankirtana* party because for chanting Hare Krsna it is not necessary that all the instrumentation be so much polished or complicated. If it is necessary for you to work-part time to earn money for artist supplies then you should do it, or else if Isana dasa can continue to help you in this connection, that will be better. Both you and your wife, Rukmini, are very nice artists, so please tell me what ideas you have so that you may get as much artistic work done as possible.For the time being, you should complete your *sankirtana* painting, and then as you have asked about the *Krsna* book, I am enclosing an idea for a painting of Krsna showing the universe within His mouth to Mother Yasoda. So you may complete this painting also as soon as possible. I have so many ideas for paintings, and we will be requiring so many expert paintings as you are able to do, so please be very serious to do this work nicely and quickly. It will be a great service. In our *Krsna* book we are showing the Western world for the first time what is God. So it is no unimportant task, and try to help us out in this as far as possible." ([[letters/1969/690602_bharadraja|Baradraja, 2 June, 1969]]) *** 69-07 "So far as painting is concerned, you can begin now. I have already advised you this in a note enclosed with Tape no. 14 of *Krsna.* ==So read the Krsna tape transcriptions and draw pictures as many as possible. Each picture should be very much attractive, colorful and nice so that people will appreciate these paintings also.== Our standard size will be like *Teachings of Lord Caitanya,* and you can make the pictures accordingly." ([[letters/1969/690715_jadurani|Jadurani, 15 July, 1969]]) *** 70-05 "I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated nil regarding paintings for the *Krsna* book. We have now received the full set of paintings for the first volume of *Krsna* book, and they are all very, very excellent. So your art department is doing very nicely and surely the production will improve even more by the grace of Krsna. ==You are all being inspired just how to portray the Lord and His associates for the devotees' eyes, so everyone who sees these transcendental pictures will turn to become devotees—that is our aim.== Yes, when Krsna and Balarama were students of Sandipani Muni they may be shown with shaved heads and *sikhas, kunthi* etc., just like our *brahmacaris.* The personified *Vedas* are just like great sages in appearance. Some of them may be looking like Vyasadeva, Valmiki, Narada, etc. Some of them are older and some of them are younger, some of them have full hair like Vyasa because they are householders and others are *brahmacari* —but they are all great souls, highly elevated in transcendental science, or *paramahamsas.* So as you suggest, these pictures will be needed for illustrating the long portion of text describing their prayers to Garbhodakasayi Visnu. This is a very important chapter, and if possible, it should also be very appropriately illustrated. So you are very able to choose out suitable subject matter for the pictures, then execute them carefully for Krsna's satisfaction. If you are requiring any other information like this, please write your inquiries to me and I shall be glad to give you proper direction." ([[letters/1970/700526_jadurani|Jadurani, 26 May, 1970]]) *** 70-09 =="I am glad that Aradhana and Santanu are engaged in painting pictures. As we open more temples there is a greater and greater need for paintings. So they can paint as many as possible pictures of Panca Tattva and Acaryas and distribute them to all the new temples—this will be a great service to our Society."== (SPL to Hari Vilasa, September 21st, 1970) ## Art for Śrīla Prabhupāda's Books 68-12 "I am very glad that you are taking the responsibility of doing pictures for *Krsna* and if Joy Fulcher has already gone there she may help you. The pictures should be paintings and if you prefer, you can make larger paintings so that when they will be printed they can be reduced to the size of the book, 8 1/2" x 11". The tenth canto contains forty chapters about Krsna in Vrndavana, and 50 chapters of Krsna in Dvaraka. ==So our book will most likely have the first volume of the forty chapters of Krsna in Vrndavana, with one picture for each chapter. I will now submit my suggestions for the first five pictures.== 1. Pregnant Devaki is sitting in a palace room and some glaring effulgence is coming out of her body. Almost near the ceiling of the room, the demigods are surrounding her and praying for the appearance of Lord Krsna. Some of the demigods are throwing flowers upon her. 2. Devaki is sitting in a different palace room and Visnu, with His four hands (conch, club, wheel and lotus) in yellow dress appeared before her. In this scene, Devaki and Vasudeva are bowing down to Lord Visnu and praying. 3. Krsna is laying happily on the lap of Devaki just like He is an ordinary child. 4. Setting of the scene: Vasudeva saw that all of the doors were opened and that the gatekeepers were asleep so he went outside of the house and came to the bank of the Yamuna. He sees that the river is inflated with rainy season water and he thinks, 'How shall I cross?' Then he saw a jackal crossing the river and Vasudeva realized that the river was shallow and only up to his ankles. So Vasudeva, holding little Krsna in his arms follows the jackal across the Yamuna River. So this night scene of walking across the river is the fourth picture. 5. Across the Yamuna River, Vasudeva came upon the house of Nanda Maharaja, where Yasoda was lying asleep with her little baby girl. The 5th picture is where Vasudeva exchanges babies with the sleeping Yasoda. So please do these pictures very beautifully. I am enclosing a photograph of a painting which is in a very nice style that you should also paint your paintings. When you are almost finished with these five paintings then inform me so we may assign you further." ([[letters/1968/681225_jadurani|Jadurani, 25 December, 1968]]) *** 69-08 "I am pleased to learn that Baradraja has completed the *sankirtana* picture and you are now doing a painting of Krsna and Arjuna. All such paintings may be forwarded to me as soon as possible. ==We require so many paintings now as we are planning to print so many illustrated books and there are so many new temples that are opening in our Krsna consciousness movement.== So as many nice paintings as you are able to do can be well utilized. If you would like to go to Boston, husband and wife, you could work co-jointly with Jadurani. In Boston they now have a large house with nice accommodations for many devotees, so if you are able to go, that will be nice." ([[letters/1969/690812_rukmini|Rukmini, 12 August, 1969]]) *** 70-03 "I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 20th February, 1970, along with an enclosed photograph of one painting of the spiritual master rendered by you. In the meantime, I have received also one painting of my Guru Maharaja Śrīla Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. Both these paintings are very, very good, and I am therefore requesting that you be able to devote yourself full time in developing this great talent of yours. ==There are many paintings required not only for our temples, but for illustrating our hooks also. So I think this work will be more than ample and you will be happy in this work."== ([[letters/1970/700306_vasudeva|Vasudeva, 6 March, 1970]]) *** 70-03 =="Regarding your question about the art department, for the present we should finish the pictures for Krsna first. Then if there is opportunity, they can print pictures for The Nectar of Devotion. Both are required, but most important is Krsna. It is better to have pictures in all our books, as many as possible."== ([[letters/1970/700320_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 20 March, 1970]]) *** 70-07 "I am very satisfied to see how nicely you are rendering the transcendental subject matters of *Srimad-Bhagavatam* in this matter of painting pictures for our literatures. So I am very much pleased with your picture for the cover *oiThe First Step of God Realization* and if you continue to improve from this standard that will be very nice. ==Yes, I would like each and every one of my books to have as many pictures as possible. That is my desire.== Our *Krsna* book with pictures has been very much attractive. Brahmananda took delivery of only 25 copies from Japan and immediately within two days all copies were sold. It is simply due to the pictures. People become attracted with these unusual transcendental pictures at first, so even without reading the book they become inclined to purchase it. This is one point. Another point is that the picture gives the explanation of the passage very quickly. ==So try to insert as many pictures as possible in all our books and other publications."== ([[letters/1970/700711_jadurani|Jadurani, 11 July, 1970]]) *** 70-07 "Regarding the picture for the cover of *Bhagavad-gita As It Is,* revised and enlarged edition, yes if the painting for the cover is similar to the picture which you sent from the *Bhagavad-gita in Pictures* that will be all right. ==Regarding further pictures for the Bhagavad-gita, if you want suggestions from me then I can give you hints with reference to important verses in the Gita;== but whether you will be able to draw pictures simply by taking hints from me? For example you may take some hints like this: Dhrtarastra sitting in the palace room, and his secretary, Sanjaya, relaying the activities in the battlefield with a television-like picture within his heart. The idea is that he is looking within the reflection of the battlefield and explaining to Dhrtarastra. So if somebody tries for it, then I shall send similar hints with reference to some important verses. You have inquired whether to illustrate Balaramaji's *rasa* dancing with expansions of Balaramaji just like Krsna expanded Himself for *rasa* dancing. No, we do not find such description in the *Srimad-Bhagavatam.* But He had His dancing pastime with the *gopis* in a different place known as Ramaghata on the bank of the Yamuna." ([[letters/1970/700711_jadurani|Jadurani, 11 July, 1970]]) *** 70-11 "I am pleased to hear that the paintings for Volume I Canto II have been finished and that more paintings for Volume II have begun. ==At least from 50 to 100 paintings should appear in each volume, and that will be the perfection of your service for Lord Krsna.== In reply to your specific question, there is no ocean of milk, rather they are standing on a normal ocean. I am always showing your paintings in *Krsna* book to respectable Indian gentiemen and ladies and they are very much impressed that my American disciples have taken to this process with so much love and determination." ([[letters/1970/701104_jadurani|Jadurani, 4 November, 1970]]) *** 71-12 =="I am very much satisfied with all of my disciples who have worked so hard on these paintings for Srimad-Bhagavatam.== In fact, I think there is no other art existing which can in any way match them. They are truly transcendental to every mundane conception of art anywhere, and I can understand that Krsna is giving you all good guidance from within, because you have shown Him that you are all such sincere boys and girls. I have got good news from Rupanuga that MacMillan Co. will be printing our *Bhagavad-gita As It Is,* so why not they should print our *Srimad-Bhagavatam* as well? These color illustrations are not found so nicely in any other publications but ours, so we are unique in this way. Now go on producing them profusely, along with all kinds of nice photo displays, slide shows, advertisements, etc., for public propaganda, and the public will note that Krsna consciousness, yes, it must be very nice thing. I am very much pleased by your wonderful cooperation in spreading this Krsna consciousness movement. Actually, this movement is full with wonderful form, color, activities, everything. So now you go on in this way, and simply by your desiring to paint and photograph His attractive features, Krsna will give you all benedictions, please know it for certain. Thank you very much for assisting me in this way." ([[letters/1971/711212_uddhava|Uddhava, 12 December, 1971]]) *** 74-05 =="I am always pleased and looking forward to seeing more beautiful pictures in our books. In India we make life members simply by the high quality and appearance of our books with illustrations. Our Society is unrivalled in this respect and this is to your credit who are working so selflessly to illustrate my books. Thank you very much."== ([[letters/1974/740502_iskcon_artists|ISKCON Artists, 2 May, 1974]]) ## Specific Instructions on Art 68-02 =="Brijbasi Company are not ordinary businessmen; they are devotees. So their pictures aren't poisonous. Even it is poison, because we are paying for their goods, therefore if poison is there, it becomes ineffective. Just like we are buying so many things at the market which are not fit for offering to Krsna, but because we are purchasing them, we can offer."== ([[letters/1968/680215_jadurani|Jadurani, 15 February, 1968]]) *** 68-03 =="Please keep me informed of the progress of your fine arts department; I am always anxious to hear how they are doing very nicely."== ([[letters/1968/680316_jadurani|Jadurani, 16 March, 1968]]) *** 68-06 =="Yes, you stay in Boston. Please learn this painting under the care of Jadurani. Please always talk about Krsna amongst you two sisters and enjoy life. This is a very good opportunity that you are talking and painting about Krsna, so that your mind, hand and attention are all absorbed in Krsna samadhi, and tongue chanting Hare Krsna. This is first-class samadhi, and the highest position of the greatest yogi. Try to continue this atmosphere happily."== ([[letters/1968/680620_jadurani|Madhavi Lata, 20 June, 1968]]) *** 68-11 =="Yes, because in our temples there is no picture of Śrīla Gaurakisora dasa Babaji or Śrīla Jagannatha dasa Babaji, so you can paint their pictures. If you have no picture to copy from, you can write and request Gurudasa to send you some. I am enclosing herewith a small picture of Madhvacarya, if it is too difficult to work from, you can send it to Gurudasa and he can make clearer and larger prints from it."== (SPL to Jadurani, November 1st, 1968) 68-11 "Regarding the picture, Panca-tattva, I do not think there is necessity of putting them in perspective. Actually, they are standing on the same line. Just like a group photo is taken and nobody looks smaller or greater. That is the system. But the thing is that if ==you make Lord Caitanya smaller, that would not be nice. He should be larger, and actually He was very large and broad shouldered.== So better to paint as you have been doing and with Lord Caitanya a little larger." ([[letters/1968/681106_jadurani|Jadurani, 6 November, 1968]]) *** 68-11 =="Yes, it is all right to continue painting Lord Caitanya and the gopis as you have been, in flesh tone."== (SPL to Satsvarupa, November 14th, 1968) 68-12 "As soon as possible, ==I will require some artist who will paint pictures from the Bhagavatam as I give hints on what to paint.== But the artist must be very quick. Two or three pictures must be done every week. These pictures will be used for my new book *Krsna,* which I will begin as soon as I get the assistance of a quick painter. I am sure that you could do this but you are already engaged with so much work. There is one girl in Seattle, Joy Fulcher, who is a nice artist. Would you like her to go to you to do this work under your guidance? I think that you know this girl. If you think the idea is all right, you can call her at Boston. As usual, I shall send *Krsna* tapes to your husband with hints for you about the pictures so you and your husband can send me the complete materials for the final printing. Please consider these suggestions and do the needful." ([[letters/1968/681213_jadurani|Jadurani, 13 December, 1968]]) *** 68-12 =="Regarding the material for canvas protection, I think that there is a tar which is made from coals which may he used. Or else if this is not available or cannot be used then you may use any material which will do the job nicely."== ([[letters/1968/681213_jadurani|Jadurani, 13 December, 1968]]) *** 69-01 "You have tried to explain the reasons for your recent travelling excursions, but there is no need to explain; the reason is that you are restless. I wanted you to concentrate your mind on painting and utilizing your talents for Krsnas service, but you do not hear me. Any place that you want to live, that is all right, but why don't you use your talents? That you cannot do, and it is your misfortune. ==Here are listed some suggestions for you to begin making beautiful paintings with.== If you can prosecute all five of these suggestions without wasting your valuable time it will be very satisfactory. 1. Pregnant Devaki is sitting in a palace room and some glaring effulgence is coming out of her body. Almost near the ceiling of the room, the demigods are surrounding her and praying for the Appearance of Lord Krsna. Some of the demigods are throwing flowers upon her. 2. Devaki is sitting in a different palace room and Visnu, with His four hands (conch, club, wheel and lotus) in yellow dress appeared before her. In this scene, Devaki and Vasudeva are bowing down to Lord Visnu and praying. 3. Krsna is laying happily on the lap of Devaki just like He is an ordinary child. 4. Setting the scene: Vasudeva saw that all of the doors were opened and that the gatekeepers were asleep so he went outside of the house and came to the bank of the Yamuna. He saw that the river was inflated with rainy season water and he thought, 'How shall I cross?' Then he saw a jackal crossing the river and Vasudeva realized that the river was shallow and only up to his ankles. So Vasudeva, holding little Krsna in his arms follows the jackal across the Yamuna River. This night scene of walking across the river and following the jackal is the fourth picture. 5. Across the Yamuna River, Vasudeva came upon the house of Nanda Maharaja, where Yasoda was lying asleep with her little girl baby. The 5th picture is where Vasudeva exchanges babies with the sleeping Yasoda. So when I return to New York, probably some time in April, I will be pleased to see these pictures nicely painted. When you have finished with this assignment, please inform me so that I may assign you further. Hope that this finds you in good health." ([[letters/1969/690112_kirtanananda|Madhavi Lata, 12 January, 1969]]) *** 69-01 "I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 6, 1969, and ==I have noted with pleasure that you are almost done with the first 5 Krsna pictures which I have suggested to you.== I think that you may immediately send these pictures to me in Los Angeles. So far as photographing these pictures for the book, I think that it is essential that these pictures be with bright attractive colors, so please do them in this way. ==I am enclosing herewith the instructions for the next 4 paintings.== 1. Nanda Maharaja (an old man of not less than 50 years) is observing a celebration. Many cowherd boys are coming with milk and curd on a balancing stick on their backs (see enclosed picture). Nanda Maharaja, who is the chief amongst the cowherds men is giving them presentations of cloth, ornaments, fruits, etc., and there is feasting going on. Some of them are enjoying by throwing butter upon their friends bodies. 2. The demoniac Putana witch has come to Yasoda looking just like a very nice young woman and congratulating Yasoda for her beautiful child. She said to Yasoda, 'You have such a nice Baby; kindly let me hold Him.' Yasoda was very simple and allowed this, but when Krsna sucked the witch's breast the demon showed her true gigantic form which was actually miles long and she died. In the picture, Krsna is playing on the breast of this gigantic dead demon. 3. Krsna was lying underneath a cart which was actually a demon who had taken the shape of a cart so Krsna would not suspect danger. Krsna was lying underneath the cart but then he kicked it while playing, and a great giant came out and died. 4. One *asura* Trnavarta whirlwind took Baby Krsna into the sky and was fighting with Him. The idea was to take Krsna into the sky and drop Him. But once in the sky, Krsna fought with the whirlwind and the demon fell down dead while Krsna was lying happily on the ground. Yasoda was praying in thanks that, 'God has saved my Boy'. Regarding your question about placing an effulgence around Krsna's head in all of these pictures, yes, this should be done. I hope to be receiving the previous paintings you have done soon. Kindly convey my blessings to all others at Boston temple." ([[letters/1969/690115_jadurani|Jadurani, 15 January, 1969]]) *** 69-10 =="Regarding Muralidhara's painting of Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji, there should be no aura around him."== ([[letters/1969/691013_pradyumna|Tamala Krsna, 13 October, 1969]]) *** 70-03 "Yes, you can make nice children's books and in this connection you can correspond with Satyabhama who is already working on a condensed version of *Krsna* book. And you should continue your painting, then with love and devotional practice, your pictures will become all attractive because of the bona fide transcendental subject matter. However, in the meantime, you write to say that you have painted Mother Yasoda light blue color. Please let me know where you have received this information. ==Yasoda and Nanda Maharaja should be colored as Indians are, generally of a light brown tan, like wheat."== ([[letters/1970/700315_ekayani|Ekayani, 15 March, 1970]]) *** 70-04 =="Regarding the third question, generally these airplanes are constructed in the shape of a swan with wings and beak and tail, etc. and on the back they put a dome, like on a chariot for sitting and driving. I have drawn you one picture to convey the idea, please find it enclosed herewith. You are at liberty to make many questions like that. So long as I can, I must make answers to your questions, but when I fail I shall ask you to excuse me."== ([[letters/1970/700411_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 11 April, 1970]]) *** 70-04 "Regarding organization of the artists, there is no need of wasting time for learning the art from the study of texts. We should always remember that our time is very short. ==I think our artists should be satisfied with whatever they have learned already, that is sufficient. They should be simply engaged in painting pictures always, and that will teach them the art sufficiently.== In the beginning I was seriously corresponding with Indian friends to get some good *mrdanga* players, but when I found it too difficult to get a man from India some of my students were given the rudimentary lessons in playing and simply by practice they are pulling on *sankirtana* party everywhere. My Guru Maharaja used to say that in a foreign land where you cannot speak the language with the natives very nicely, what do you do when there is a fire in your house just to get their help? In such emergency one has to express himself somehow or other to his foreign friends and get their help to extinguish the fire. But if he wants to learn the language first and then talk with the foreign friends to get help, then everything in the meantime would be finished. Similarly, if we have to learn and then paint, it will be a long term affair. But immediately we want so many pictures for all of our books, so all the artists may always be engaged in painting works and that painting itself will gradually teach them how to make things nice. Regarding how the art department should be organized, that is to be managed amongst themselves. I do not know the technical details, I want only that they may be always engaged. Now it is up to them how to manage these things. As you have suggested, you may make any suitable arrangement and that is approved by me however you make it fit. The only thing is the artists must be always engaged full time in their painting work. You may inform Devahuti and the others that I am always satisfied with their work. I am satisfied only to see that every one of us is always engaged in his respective duties. As the teacher wants to see that the students are engaged in their handwriting work. Who is writing good hand, that is secondary question. The teachers duty is to see that everyone is engaged in handwriting work. So if all the artists are always engaged in painting that will satisfy me and that will gradually make them experienced for making good paintings." ([[letters/1970/700421_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 21 April, 1970]]) *** 70-04 =="Regarding Brijbasi posters, just take our pictures portraying Krsna with cows, with gopis; just Krsna pictures, no pictures of demigods. Those pictures are all right."== ([[letters/1970/700425_jagadisa|Jagadisa, 25 April, 1970]]) *** 70-05 =="Regarding the color of Balaramaji, He is colored like milk white with little bluish tint and rosy luster. Our idea of whiteness is of the milk foam."== ([[letters/1970/700503_ekayani|Ekayani, 3 May, 1970]]) *** 70-06 "So far painting the pictures, you are already doing it nicely as I have seen so many pictures in *Krsna,* and I am also answering specific inquiries, so there is no difficulty. The best thing is you use your discrimination. I was advised that Narada Muni was to be painted on *Easy Journey* but the picture which was given on it was suggested by me. The best thing will be that you paint pictures to your best discretion and in controversial points you can write to me and I will send instructions. ==All of you are expert painters, so your mutual decision for painting a picture is more valuable than my suggestion. The descriptions are already there, given in the hook,== so there is no difficulty to take out the points and prepare a sketch." (SPL to Jadurani, Baradraja and Muralidhara, 4th June, 1970) 70-06 =="Regarding the picture of King Paundraka, yes, he may be colored blue. Because he was imitating Vasudeva, he had two artificial extra hands attached also. So he might have painted himself blue also."== ([[letters/1970/700625_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 25 June, 1970]]) *** 70-07 "Krsna can expand Himself in various ways with His different wives. You are not only an advanced student in painting, but also in Krsna consciousness so always pray to Krsna how you shall draw the painting and I think it will come out nice. My other request to you is that because I am going to the Eastern hemisphere countries I wish to establish as many branches as possible on that side. ==As you know me very well from the very beginning, I shall require many pictures of Panca-tattva either sankirtana or standing 5 together, also the pictures of acaryas."== ([[letters/1970/700731_jadurani|Jadurani, 31 July, 1970]]) *** 70-12 =="You may inform Jadurani that the picture she has sent is all right with necessary adjustments.== Krsna is of course to be pictured in the same dress in all the scenes of the Kuruksetra delivery of *Bhagavad-gita* because the episode took place all within about one half hour. ==Some ideas are:== 1. Duryodhana and Dronacarya conferring in a tent just before the battle. 2. A *ratha* with four horses drawn before the ranks of soldiers and *aksauhini* carrying Krsna and Arjuna. 3. Arjuna morose; leaving weapons aside he is almost crying. 4. A man pictured dead and also living. Krsna says to Arjuna, 'The wise mourn not for the dead or the living.' 5. Pictures of an individual from babyhood to youthhood, in manhood and in old age and death. The figure of the soul in each different body remains the same indicating that the body changes, not the soul. 6. Krsna instructing the Sun-god; Vivasvan instructing Manu (his son). I will send you more ideas later if required by you." ([[letters/1970/701219_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 19 December, 1970]]) *** 71-08 =="The point is that these drawings should be realistic. Not that you make Krsna a cartoon character and therefore laughing stock. And hippy ideas shouldn't be used either. Whatever technique is there, make it realistic. That will be nice."== (SPL to Madhusudana, August 18th, 1971) 72-08 "Regarding your questions, ==yes, there is water in the house under the Bindusarovara lake. Of course it is not possible for us to live there, but if you know the art, it is a science, it is as good as this house filled with air.== We are living in an ocean of air, we can live in an ocean of water, it is a question of art. By mystic power everything can be done." ([[letters/1972/720806_jadurani|Jadurani, 6 August, 1972]]) *** 72-09 =="So far the painting department is concerned, they have telephoned me also, so their work is very important, and four or five painters may be allowed to paint full-time, after chanting two hours their rounds, and they may spend one or two hours on sankirtana party as it is convenient.== Jadurani is the best book seller of all, so she may go out for distributing books as much as possible if it is convenient and does not tax her too much away from painting art work." (SPL to Bali Mardan, Pusta Krsna, 18th September, 1972) 73-11 =="Regarding the arati ceremony of Svayambhuva Manu, better to have the men and women separate. That is the Vedic system. Not like in the West of co-education, because intermingling of men and women was not at all sanctioned. If he is performing arati, how can he sit in a throne or asana?"== ([[letters/1973/731108_bhagavan|Jadurani dasi, 8 November, 1973]]) 5. In Panca-tattva everyone has an effulgence, but especially Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda. 6. The Mayavadi sannyasis generally wear their dhotis up over their knees, and because Lord Caitanya took sannyasa from a Mayavadi sannyasi He is shown like that. So He is seen like this as a sannyasi. 7. Lord Nityananda never took sannyasa. He was independent, like a brahmacari, and later he became married." ([[letters/1974/740307_muralidhara|Muralidhara, 7 March, 1974]]) *** 74-03 =="Kardama Muni should look something like you have pictured Vyasadeva, with beard and top knot of hair, not as you have pictured him in your drawing. Generally munis have beards."== ([[letters/1974/740307_muralidhara|Muralidhara, 7 March, 1974]]) *** 74-05 =="No, Prthu does not have effulgence. He was a saktyavesa avatara, a living entity empowered."== ([[letters/1974/740502_iskcon_artists|ISKCON Artists, 2 May, 1974]]) *** 74-05 "You mention that in the picture where Lord Caitanya is discussing with the Kazi about cow killing, Lord Nityananda is there with a drum. No, there is no mention of Him being with a *mrdanga.* He should not have a shaved head as a *brahmacari* but in the same feature as we always see the two, Gaura-Nitai. ==Nityananda was a brahmacari and became grhastha but you should always paint them in the Gaura-Nitai style and feature you are already accustomed to doing.== Do not feel frustrated about the slowness in producing paintings. Simply paint as many as possible." ([[letters/1974/740515_hansadutta|Jadurani dasi, 15 May, 1974]]) *** 74-08 =="Krsna and Balarama fighting as bulls is completely rejected by me. It is not good. You have made it demoniac. Make Them as they are themselves, as boys fighting. Never show like this. Everything is there in the Krsna book. Don't imagine."== ([[letters/1974/740809_sukadeva|Jadurani devi dasi, 9 August, 1974]]) *** 74-11 =="I have seen your letter dated November 12th, 1974 addressed to Brahmananda with enclosed samples of the Christmas cards and the calendar. The pictures are very nice. This sort of painting was done during the Muslim Moghal period. But, we don't encourage Christmas greetings. They are nice pictures undoubtedly."== ([[letters/1974/741121_nrsimha_caitanya|Kirtiraja dasa, 21 November, 1974]]) *** 74-12 =="Regarding the painting of the arati ceremony, yes do it as it is described in the song. The ceremony was held inside.== No *arati* takes place in the open. Lord Caitanya was a householder at the time. Navadvipa *Ma* means householder *lila.* The form exhibited was the Panca-tattva form, as it is described: *dakhine nitaicand, bame gadadhara.* Not only are Brahma and Lord Siva but all demigods are offering. And, everyone has got *sikhas,* why you are asking if only Narahari and others have got? Srivasa was a *grhastha,* and Advaita Acarya was *grhastha." ([[letters/1974/741208_hansadutta|Ameyatma dasa, 8 December, 1974]]) *** 75-05 =="I am very glad to hear that you are continuing your drawing work nicely. This is your business. Krsna has given you some special talent and you are using it for spreading His glories. This is wanted."== ([[letters/1975/750519_mahamsa|Govinda dasi, 19 May, 1975]]) *** 76-01 =="Yes, if Lord Visnu appeared as a Saivite then He must have Saivite tilaka. The brahmanas in Krsna lila should have shaved heads and sikhas."== ([[letters/1976/760105_jadurani|Jadurani, 5 January, 1976]]) *** 76-09 "All of the sketches which you have sent to me while I am in India are approved. The picture of the Mohini Murti capturing the demons should take place outside on the grass, there is no floor or walls. Prahlada Maharaja does not have a beard. Always avoid beards. ==It is not true that there are no shoes in Krsna lila, rather there are shoes except for the Vrndavana pastimes. But the shoes are of another quality, they are beautiful with jewels etc.== On the battlefield they must wear shoes. The severed head of Rahu should look like the head of a demon, not round like a planet." ([[letters/1976/760907_radhavallabha|Radhaballabha dasa, 7 September, 1976]])