The Devotee

Acrylic on canvas, 24" X 20"

Comments from Viewers, in response to the VTS question "what is going on the image"

Neetu Gurbani>> Since she has a garland around her neck à la politicians, it makes me think she is a leader who is looking benevolently at and recognizing all the religions that make a diverse community. Definitely different from politicians that pit one religion against another for their own gains. Yesterday at 9:11am · UnlikeLike ·

Neetu Gurbani >> It is a good work, Sujata! Yesterday at 9:11am

Praveen Kumar >> nyc art.. Yesterday at 11:34am

Madhuri Chattopadhyay >> I'd say this is an artistic rendition of India since the word India comes from the river Indus- hence the blue sari. The garland is a sign of respect/worship. She is tolerant so she looks benevolently at the religions most prevalent in Indi...a - Hinduism (Om), Jainism (hand), Islam (moon+star), Buddhism (chakra), Christianity (cross) and Judaism (star). The lower right symbol is confusing to me - it could be Sikhism (approximate rendering of Khanda bcos it looks different) or a very abstract representation of Zoroasterism (sp?). I would have liked to see both. Some thoughts: I think there are also a lot of people who do not believe in any religion who could have been represented by humanism and those that are spiritual but do not subscribe to any religion. I dont know how you could represent that. But I do think the last two categories are very important; they may not be vocal and hence, tend to get ignored often in these discussions (to the point where there are no well-known icons to represent them, especially the latter). It would also be nice to see the ancient/adivasi religions in India, remnants of which might exist in ancient tribes such as the Santhals and the Jarwa, represented in this picture. That would be India with its true religious complexity.

Sujata Tibrewala>> Neetu Gurbani the garland which you perceive as a trademark of politicians makes you think of this woman as a leader of some sort, but someone who recognizes the religious diversity of India, and not someone who used religion for their political gains... 13 hours ago

Sujata Tibrewala >> Madhuri Chattopadhyay you think this is symbolic of India, because of the woman dressed in blue (signifying the river Indus, from which India gets its name) and all the religions of India. You see garland as a mark of respect as offered in... worhsipp of dieties, and you see all religions, Hinduism, jainism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and possibly Sikhism or zoroasterism... You find one of the last two is missing. You are also missing people who so not believe in any religion or in humanism, and other minority religion ... you think this is missing due to lack of any symbols you can recognise visually... You think if that could be represented then the true spirit of India would be represented, which you would like to see.13 hours ago ·

Sujata Tibrewala >> thanks rajveer, prashant, kalai, visakh, sundri aunty... 13 hours ago

Rajveer Kaur >> grt pic............... woman is grt as she is a mother .. and mother is like god .. mother is mother whether the religion is any ... nice .....

Sujata Tibrewala >> Rajveer Kaur you see the woman as mother god, irrespective religion of any kind...So nice... 12 hours ago

Madhuri Chattopadhyay >> What I love about this amazing picture is taht it is thought-provoking. As all good art should be...34 minutes ago

What did Sujata had in mind when she painted it

God is nothing but a statue in stone, without their devotees love. This painting depicts a devotee who could be from any religion, but is one with all the devotees of the world in her dedication.

Symbols: A face depicting peace with some major religious symbols to depict oneness of them all...The devotee herself is devoid of any religious symbol on her..