About this Sai portrait – by Mani Sahukar
Sai often emphasized the
importance of the DWARKAMAYI (an old dilapidated Masjid where Sai lived) and
spoke of its purity as if the hall were something apart from His usual
spiritual kingship. But it is in this spot that the great Master lived and it
is here that He preached His eternal gospel and performed His wonderful
miracles. No wonder that the atmosphere has absorbed all the glory of those years
of peerless guruship when He inspired thousands to rise up in their own
strength and freedom, to conquer and to create. This durbar has remained
intact, the same simple construction it was in the days of the Master, a
priceless legacy from Him to us who revere Him.
In the center of the hall where
Sai used to sit, is built a small wooden throne-like seat on which there is a
life-size portrait of the Guru done in oils by one Mr. Jaykar of Bombay. Here
is a brief reference to this beautiful portrait of Sai Baba. Mr. Jaykar is not
an artist of any great recognized international fame, but in this portrait of the
Saint of Shirdi he has produced a masterpiece, not however in any strict academicals
sense, for it is quite possible that from a technical point of view the
painting is full of flaws and the art critic may find in it many short comings
of line and perspective and color tones. Nevertheless, the painting is a masterpiece,
for in it somehow Sai has come alive! The picture assumes almost a three dimensional
reality, a vivid and insistent presentation of the Soul, not a mere thing of
canvas and oils, but a creation that manifests the supra-mental touch. The eyes
have the lustrous brightness and compassionate moisture which is seen only in life
and the smile curiously resembling the smile of Mona Lisa in Leonardo da Vinci’s
masterpiece is no less vivid. “It is not a painted smile”, was the outburst of
a devotee, “It is not static, but alive and real, a thing of flesh and blood.”
That could be said of the whole picture. It is not some static likeness of the
Saint that has been reproduced on canvas; it is as if the Master had himself
descended into the picture and made it alive and immortal!
It is very interesting to record
that the painting was done when Sai was actually present in Shirdi, and when
the inspired artist showed his work to Sai, He hugged the portrait to His heart
and is reported to have said, “This picture will live after me”. This prophecy
has come true.
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