A respected Swami in Boston told me to visit the Museum of Fine Arts Boston esp the Indian Sub-Continent section. Visited in April 2015. U see entrance to the Museum. It opens at 10 am. Best to take
train to reach there. To see pic of hall of India Sub-Cont in museum Click here
Hari Hara Cambodia early 7th century A.D. Copyright for all pics lies with the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. ''The installation emphasizes how cultural exchange between the two geographic regions shaped artistic development during the course of two millennia.''
Shiva as Sadashiva or Mahesha late 10th century Chola period. ''Note the third sets of eyes on the forehead of all the 4 faces, a symbol of Shivaji ka Inner Vision''. Captions are taken from the boards that appear along side the exhibits in the museum. This photo collections has sculptures of Indian Gods like Shiva in S.E.Asia and Japanese Buddhist Temple.
Beloved Ganesha. Missed taking details of Ganesha - not seen similar sculpture in India.
Vajrabhairava and Consort Tibet 17th century made in bronze with traces of pigment. Vajravabhairava is one of the most popular deities of Buddhism. Multiple heads, arms and legs indicate his power to defeat Yama, the God of Death. To see pics of Victor and Albert Museum London Click here
Bhairava or Mahakala Indonesia (eastern Java) Majapahit period about 14th century made in Andesite (volcanic stone). This powerful deity either represents Bhairava (Shiva) or Mahakala a powerful Buddhist deity whose name means a Great Dark One. Many times it is difficult to differentiate whether image is of Bhairava or Mahakala esp when image is from Java where Sanatan and Baudh Dharams share iconographical traditions.
Back side of Bhairava or Mahakala sculpture. Both forms serve to protect their followers from evil forces. Museum has section on Contemporary Art, Art of Asia-Oceania and Africa, Art of Europe,Art of the Americas, Art of the Ancient World, Jewelery Musical Instruments etc. Very good worth a visit.
Shiva on Nandi Vietnam 15-16th century made in sandstone. From the 5-18th centuries sea faring traders settled in the central coastal areas of Vietnam. They established loosely connected kingdoms based on trade now known as Champa. Indian influence can be seen in the sculptures, reliefs, metalworks and complex brick metalworks from Champa. Shivji was popular there as you can see in this pic with trident and third eye on his forehead here cut into half.
Bodhisattva Maitreya modern day Pakistan late Kushan period 3rd century AD made in Gray Schist. The princely figure is Bodhisattva is a compassionate being who delays attaining self-enlightenment
in order to assist others in their spiritual path. Buddhist believe Maitreya will descend on earth at some point in order to preach the teachings of Buddha. To see pics of British Museum London Click here
Japanese Buddhist Temple Room is on the first flooor. When I visited did not plan to upload pics on esamskriti so took fewer pics of earlier section, anyway hope you enjoyed. This gallery suggests a Japanese Buddhist Temple. The sculptures are made from one block of wood or many blocks joined together. The Museum''s collection of Japanese Buddhist Art is the finest out of Japan.
Can you help with caption. To read Harmonious Blend of Hindu, Buddhist and Shinto strains in Japan Click here
Bodhisattva Japan Heian period late 8th to early 9th century. Japanese cyprus with polychrome. Single block construction.
SAICHI, Japan dates unknown, SHO KANNON, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. With its intricate cast mandola, fluid drapery and incise lotus pedestal petals this is one of the finest bronze sculptures from 13th century Japan. Name of artist is Saichi.
SHAKA, the historical Buddha. Read Todaji Monastery - Amalgamation of Indo Japanese Spirituality Click here
DAIITOKU, the King of Wisdom, Japan Heian period 12th century, cyprus with polycrome split and joint construction. This image originally had six arms, six heads and six arms and was mounted on a water buffalo. Daiitoku myoo is one of the five Wisdom Kings worshiped in esoteric Buddhism as a manifestation of the wrath of Dainichi, the supreme deity, when he is confronted with wrath and delusion.
JIZO, the Bodhisattva of the Earth Matrix Kamakura period Japan 1321 made in Japanese cypress made with polychrome and inlaid crystal, joined woodblock construction. JIZO is one of most popularly worshipped Bodhisattvas in Japan. He is revered as the saviour of the deceased from the torments of hell and protector of children, women in childbirth, warriors in battle and travellers. To see pics of Temples of Japan Click here
GUANYIN, China the Bodhisattva of Compassion around 580 AD, late Northern Zhou or early Sui dynasty. From the old stone Buddha monastery near Xian. Gray limestone with traces of polychrome and gilding.
Apsaras (celestial beings) China, 6th century a.d. Made in limestone. Pics taken from cell phone so not of very high quality. To see pics of Bodh Gaya Temple Click here
Here the museum pics end and pics from other parts of the U.S. Trip begin. Outside the Harvard Business School. Spent a couple of hours walking around the campus, amazing energy.
The TATA HALL at the Harvard Business School. In 2010, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Tata Education and Development Trust and some Tata companies together had give a gift to the Harvard Business School to fund a new academic and residential building on the School’s campus in Boston for participants in the School''s broad portfolio of Executive Education Programs.When I walked around the building felt proud to be Indian.
Just as you enter the Tata Hall. This is where participants in education programs come out for tea etc. The purpose of this philanthropic gesture by the Tata because the Harvard Business School
is the preeminent place to be exposed to the world''s best thinking on management and leadership, and the Tata Hall will support the School''s educational mission to mould the next generation of global business leaders. Met a few participitants who had come from different parts of the world. A great way to let them know about the TATAS.
This is front view of the main Library building. Spent some time inside. Amazing place. To see pics of Nalanda University Click here
The back side building of the library is where group pictures are taken of those who come attend the Harvard Education Program. I happened to be there so clicked with my cell phone. A few minutes away from here is Michael Porter home.
This the Harvard Stadium that lies opposite the campus entrance that you saw in pic no 20.
From school crossed the river to Harvard Business Square. Loved the buss around HBS. Was hungry so had buffet at Indian restaurant Tanjore. Loved the food. At $ 11 including taxes it was real value for money. At HBS saw this guy painting, with music playing in the background and smiling too. He seemed so happy doing what he was doing.
Thought cycle rickshaws existed mainly in India. This pic is in Washington DC except that there you pay a premium to be driven around in a cycle rickshaw. Saw smaller rickshaws in Central Park, New York.
Fisherman''s Wharf area in San Francisco. Saw number of musicians playing for general public. This guy in particular sang and played drums very well. There is a box for Tips. People just drop what they like. Wish we had similar musicians at say Gateway of India or India Gate. This man added spice to the place and made it more fun.
APPLE store at Palo Alto, Silicon Valley. Just loved the experience. In a lighter vein, asked the salesperson if they had Annual Clearance Sales. She looked at me shell-shocked to say Apple offers high quality products period.
A Indian couple sponsored this building called ''Shriram Centre of Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering'' at the Stanford Business School. The sponsorers are based in Silicon Valley and in the Financial Sector.
9/11 Memorial in New York. One attack and the Americans made a grand memorial. It attracts number of tourists.
Getting their shoes polished at the Washington DC bus terminus. Now compare this with how shoes get polished in India.
Lost my way in Palo Alto so walked up to fellow Indian. We got chatting. His grandfather was from Uttar Pradesh, taken by the British as laborer to Fiji in the late 19th century. He legally migrated to the U.S. About 45 years ago. One son works for the U.S. Army and another is a senior Finance Professional. He spoke in chaste Hindi just like people from U.P do. He told me they only spoke Hindi at home - his young grand daughter was learning now days too.