Champaklal Speaks

Promode Kumar’s Darshan Painting

1962-08-15

Since I have mentioned Promode Kumar's Darshan painting I shall say something about it which is bound to enrapture those with natures like mine.

Promode Kumar was one of the famous artists of Bengal. For some years he was the principal of Kalabhavan in Baroda. He was an ardent seeker and a devotee of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. An instance of Promode Kumar's absolute faith in the Mother's grace is that he never locked his room when he went out for work or a walk.

When he settled here he brought a large collection of his paintings. Mother always showered her grace on him. Now, after completing this painting of the Darshan, he wanted to show it to the Mother. But the Mother had stopped coming down, and it was not possible to carry the huge painting up the narrow stairs.

There are two flights of stairs leading to the Mother's room from the Salon. The first one leading to “Champaklal's studio”—the name Mother gave to the landing—was too narrow for the painting; so it was decided to hoist it up directly from the eastern side of the Salon through a large opening which is normally covered with a curtain, into Champaklal's studio. The curtain was removed and the painting was pulled up through that space. Standing in the small netted hallway outside her room the Mother looked at the painting which was held up to her view.

Later, with Mother's consent, the painting was installed in the Meditation hall downstairs. This is how her incessant Grace fulfills the ardent desire of her devotees. However, after this some of those who were opposed to it being there, tried their utmost to get it removed from there. But Promode Kumar was a devotee of Shakti, and Mother had also to satisfy his devotion! So we still find the painting there.