WVA-Audarya Award to Srimati Shyamarani Dasi for her paintings, called “Windows to the Spiritual World”
After graduating from Music and Art High School in 1964, Syamarani dasi became a student at New York City College, majoring in art and history. In 1966, at the age of 19, she met her spiritual master: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder-acarya of ISKCON.
Since 1966 she has painted over 200 paintings for Srila Prabhupada’s temples and books.
In 1967 Srila Prabhupada made her the first art director in his ISKCON institution. and said, "I have taught her how to paint – by chanting 'Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.’"
He also said, "In the beginning she could not paint, but by following the process of sravanam kirtanam visnu (hearing and chanting the glories of Lord Sri Krsna) the talent has come out." He once announced to his disciples, "These paintings are windows to the spiritual world. They will be like the rain after the drought of mundane art, and everyone will be attracted."
From the beginning, the plan of the awards was an item of the projects of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada as a part of his efforts to revive the Visva Vaisnava Raj Sabha of Srila Jiva Goswami.
Syamarani Devi Dasi receiving Audarya Award
More information about Syamarani´s art: www.bhaktiart.net
