INDIA NEWS
|
INDIA NEWS |
| No 79/2001 |
22nd October, 2001 |
Press Release issued by Embassy of India Budapest on Khajuraho photo Exhibition is placed below:
KHAJURAHO COMES TO HUNGARY
Khajuraho, the 1000-year old temple complex built by the Rajput Chandela Kings has been visually transplanted to Hungary - a country which is itself celebrating 1000 years of establishment of a modern Magyar State by King Saint Stephen. Giant 5 x 3 meter Billboards with photographs of the Khajuraho "Sura Sundaris"or 'beauties of God' cast a mystic spell as they smile down at motorists and passers-by at major crossings at 150 different points around this teaming, "first city"of Central Europe. They immediately attract attention against the background of Baroque, neo-Gothic or Renaissance buildings, castles and churches as well as new age malls that presage Hungary's imminent integration into the European Union. The Billboards announce a major event in the cultural life of the city - the five-week long photographic Exhibition entitled "Khajuraho - Eroticism and Mysticism" at the prestigious Museum of Applied Arts in downtown Budapest. - a dazzling Saracenic architectural setting with green and yellow ceramic tiled roof, cupolas and turrets. Built in the late 19th Century, its architect Odon Lechner was influenced by oriental architecture and the Khajuraho photographs meld into the background of the huge main hall and gallery with its decorative Rajput style arches.
Sander Csotos Szabo is the celebrated Hungarian photographer who conceived and put together this Exhibition in collaboration with the Embassy of India, Hungary, Government of India Tourist Office, Frankfurt and Sita Travels, India. He was also helped by the External Publicity Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Archaeological Survey of India. He has been fascinated by the idea of revealing the glory of the heritage sites of Asia to Hungary and Europe and began his venture with an Exhibition on the famed Angkor Vat last year which was visited by a record number of visitors - 10,000 on the last day.
The Exhibition was inaugurated on 20th September 2001 by Ambassador of India to Hungary, Mrs. Lakshmi M. Puri and the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister and former Culture Minister of Hungary, Dr. Jozsef Hamori in the presence of a large gathering of Hungarian dignitaries, ambassadors, media, and art lovers numbering over 300. The Exhibition will last until 28th October 2001.
Ambassador Puri described the Khajuraho Exhibition as an attempt to bring to Hungarians and Europeans the essence and glory of one of the wonders of the world recognized as a world heritage site. She highlighted the archaeological, architectural and artistic value of the Khajuraho temples with their "tenderly lyrical, lavishly adorned, richly symbolic sculptures,unparalleled d in Indian art and representing the best in world art". . Referring to the theme of the Exhibition chosen by Csortos Szabo - Eroticism and Mysticism - it was explained that the sculptures of Khajuraho are seen to commemorate physical love but the Mithuna couples depicted have a mystical significance symbolizing the spiritual ecstasy of the soul merging with the divine - Atma with Brahman. In the representation of Indian womanhood too, the physical aspects were only a part of the Mahamaya and Mahashakti concepts that permeate the sculptured creations. These impart to Khajuraho the life affirming quality that is so precious and necessary in the modern world.
Ambassador underlined the touristic significance of the Exhibition. Apart from motivating Hungarians and Europeans to visit Khajuraho in particular and India in general, it was intended that travel agents here be encouraged to put Khajuraho on their Asian and Indian circuits and to organize special tours for afficionados. A tourism seminar including a slide show by Csortos was also held in the Museum for select European and Hungarian tour operators on 26th September, 2001. Also, there are plans to take the Exhibition to other cities in Europe.
Dr. Hamori remarked on how fortunate it was that Hungarians were able to get a glimpse of the cultural wealth of India through this Exhibition. He referred to the fact that this whole month had been an India season in Hungary - with Amrita Sher-gil Exhibition, two-week film festival and now the Khajuraho Photo Exhibition. He predicted that this will confirm the large and faithful following that Indian culture has in Hungary and lure many a visitor to India. Dr. Ildiko Puskas , eminent Hungarian Indologist, who has authored many books on Indian history and culture and is also the President of the Hungarian Indian Friendship Society, provided a historical background and context to the Khajuraho temples and sculptures and pointed out how sophisticated and ahead of their times these were even with reference to European art and Western civilization.
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