Nagpur: The 12th century Sanskrit poet Jayadeva’s works are multidimensional which gave Vaishnavism a new direction, said Unsesco fellow and renowned art historian Choodamani Nandagopal on Saturday.She was speaking after the inauguration of a multimedia exhibition on various artistic adaptations of Jayadeva’s ‘Gita Govind’, organized by the department of archaeology. The exhibition was inaugurated by vice-chancellor of Nagpur University SP Kane at Central Museum.Head of the archaeological department Preety Trivedi, senior photographer of IGNCA D Sita Ramaiyya and curator of Central Museum Virag Sontakke were present. The exhibition is being curated at Central Museum in association with Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi.Nandagopal said, “Jayadeva’s works had a definite influence at a later stage. Geet Raghav and Geet Gangadhar are among them. These adapted art forms were widely performed in Jagannath Puri temple by Devdasis and in Mysore royal court.”Talking about its relevance in today’s time, she said, “Jayadeva’s works can be seen as an act of pure love between two humans. They teach us how to break shackles of society. Radha and Krishna never married, but they loved each other.”Ramaiyya said, “Gita Govind is a collection of 24 love poems written by Jayadeva. Of these, six have been displayed here. Different schools of artistes have imagined his works according to their thoughts and adapted it. The motto of holding the digital exhibition is to widen viewership and approach since it will be easier for people to view the works in their own time and space if we compiled everything in a single DVD or pendrive. These mediums are far easily available and approachable.”Talking to TOI, Trivedi said, “This exhibition is an attempt to promote our rich cultural heritage of which the city is perhaps not much aware of. The poet being from Odisha, people of Maharashtra may not have much knowledge about him. Jayadeva’s Sanskrit poetry speaks of love between Radha and Krishna. Naturally, these adapted paintings, music renditions and dance forms give his Sanskrit poems a more definitive structure.”The gallery displays works of various artistes who have adapted Jayadeva’s works in dance, musical and pictorial forms. The programme was attended by architects, historians, heritage conservators and student fraternity in large numbers. A book on Mandhal excavations was also released on the occasion.The 15-day exhibition will be open from 10.30am to 5.30pm on all days except Mondays.

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