top of page

By:

Minal Sancheti

2 May 2026 at 12:26:53 pm

Freedom of expression over says artist Jain Kamal

Mumbai: Veteran artist Jain Kamal believes that his fraternity lacks freedom of speech in today’s time. While speaking to ‘The Perfect Voice’, he said, “Freedom for the artists no longer exists. Now, we are living in the times of dictatorship. If we don’t have freedom of expression, then it will be very difficult for the artists to survive. There should be purity in the expression of the artists, saints, scientists, and thinkers so that there is more positivity in society.” Jain is going to...

Freedom of expression over says artist Jain Kamal

Mumbai: Veteran artist Jain Kamal believes that his fraternity lacks freedom of speech in today’s time. While speaking to ‘The Perfect Voice’, he said, “Freedom for the artists no longer exists. Now, we are living in the times of dictatorship. If we don’t have freedom of expression, then it will be very difficult for the artists to survive. There should be purity in the expression of the artists, saints, scientists, and thinkers so that there is more positivity in society.” Jain is going to exhibit his 50 years of work at the Jehangir Art Gallery from May 26 to June 1. The exhibition, ‘Retrospective’, will be inaugurated by Dattatreya Hosabale, General Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The paintings are a translation of the Jain religious chanting of the Navkar Mantra. Jain said, “I have been working on these paintings for the past 50 years and have put in a great effort to convey to the world the message of peace and harmony using the Jainism chanting. Like a mother makes delicious food for her child, I have used words to create beautiful art for the people.” When asked what inspired him, he said, “I wanted to do something with words. So I thought why not use Gayatri mantra or Hanuman Chalisa but then I chose Navkar mantra which is a Jain mantra. I used the five lines of the mantras in my paintings. In the exhibition, you will get to see a ‘Picchi’ (a broom used as a symbol of non-violence and which the Jain monks use to brush away any small insect that comes in their way.)” Jain added, “Half of the threads attached to the Picchi are in Brahmi, and half of the Picchi are in Devanagari. I have combined the time of Jain God Rishabdev with today’s generation by using both languages. I have also painted ants dancing to show nonviolence preached by the religion.” The words are formed like a chain in concentric circles in one of the key paintings. Some paintings consist of lakhs of words depicting the Jain mantras. “In these paintings, you can find the entire world through the written mantras. They convey that everything is made by God and there lies nothing in the material world. We should not be proud of our possessions, as everything in the world belongs to Khuda. So be peaceful and spread peace.” He added, “I did not talk about religion, but the philosophy of peace that I want to spread to everyone. I planted the seed of a mantra and thoughts into my artwork, which is why it is unique and different.”

Discussions on among allies for govt formation: Ajit Pawar

Updated: Nov 29, 2024

Ajit Pawar

Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister and NCP head Ajit Pawar on Monday said discussions were underway among the Mahayuti partners to finalise a formula for the new government formation in the state.


Speaking to reporters at Karad in Satara district, Pawar also acknowledged the contribution of the government's Ladki Bahin scheme, which provides financial assistance to women, in the Mahayuti's victory in the just-concluded state assembly polls.


The NCP leader also assured that the alliance was working cohesively following its resounding victory in the state assembly elections.


Pawar paid tributes to Maharashtra's first chief minister Yashwantrao Chavan at his memorial in Karad on his death anniversary.


In the state poll results declared on Saturday, the Mahayuti, which comprises the BJP, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP, bagged an impressive 230 of the 288 assembly seats.


The focus has been on BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is being seen as a strong contender to occupy the top post for the third time, as his party bagged 132 of the 149 seats it contested in the state.


Notably, Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar has said his party legislators feel Eknath Shinde should continue as the chief minister of the state, where the ruling Mahayuti scored a landslide victory in the assembly polls.


Ajit Pawar said, "We will decide what formula to work out on the cabinet formation among the three parties."


Reflecting on the elections, he acknowledged the contribution of the Ladki Bahin scheme in the Mahayuti's win.


"We cannot ignore that Ladki Bahin helped us in this election. We are grateful to them (women voters)," he said.


Defending the scheme, Pawar, who is also the state finance minister, further said, "Had I been opposed to the Ladki Bahin scheme, I would not have presented it in the House. I discussed the scheme with several retired finance officers before finalising it."


Pawar also dismissed concerns raised by some opposition leaders over the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), pointing out that polls in states like Punjab, West Bengal and Telangana, governed by their political opponents, have been conducted with the same system.


Commenting on members of same families contesting against each other during the elections, Pawar expressed annoyance over repeated questions on it.


He then asked, "Why was my close nephew fielded? Atram's own daughter was fielded against him, and even Rajendra Shingne faced a similar challenge. I don't want to comment further on this. I have got tired of apologising for fielding my wife against Supriya. Yugendra was in business, then why was he prepared to contest against me?"


In the Baramati assembly seat, Ajit Pawar was pitted against his nephew and NCP (SP) candidate Yugendra Pawar.


In Aheri seat, NCP leader Dharamraobaba Atram's daughter Bhagyashree Atram contested against him on NCP (SP) ticket.

Comments

bottom of page