Ramayana in Calligraphy Ink Art

Swami Sarveshananda Saraswati is the Resident Acharya of Chinmaya Mission Dallas-Fort Worth and the National Director of Chinmaya Yuva Kendra, the youth wing of Chinmaya Mission West. As one of the torch bearers of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s vision, Swamiji’s mission is to provide individuals from any background with the wisdom of Vedanta and the practical means of spiritual growth and happiness, enabling them to become positive contributors to society. He continues to inspire and touch many lives through his service, dedication, and loving presence. Being an innate artist, Swamiji continues to nurture and express his artistic abilities through photography, sketching, painting, and now – his newfound love for calligraphy ink art! He believes that art exploration offers a way to connect with the world through heightened awareness. The instant connection he developed with this one-of-a-kind art form resulted in this exquisite expression – an outer manifestation of an inner state – The Ramayana!

Art is usually the expression of colors and shades, light and shadow and the use of positive space and negative space specifically. The calligraphy ink art dances in between the positive space and negative space both depicting and trying to convey something very subtle and sublime in the most minimalistic strokes. The Amazing story of Bhagwan Sri Ramchandra Ji is such an inspiration to every generation. It would be an audacity to capture him in an art form, and to paint it in a minimalistic art form would be quite a challenge. But this with Bhagwan’s blessings. These expressions, carry a life and rhythm of their own, and they have come out so expressively beautiful. That it captivates one’s mind when you go through it. I got an opportunity over the summer to bring to life the entire Ramayana in a calligraphy ink art form in about 60 images or 60 sketches. I hope and pray that you enjoy it and it takes our minds towards Bhagwan through this simple art form Hariom.

Pujya Swami Swaroopanandaji’s loving words and blessings to our Swamiji:

Hari om !!!I congratulate and invoke Bhagavan Shri Rama’s blessings on Swami Sarveshananda. His Calligraphy Ink Art is a new way of narrating the story of Ramayana. Art is about colors and shades, lights and shadows, positive space and negative space to depict the story in a simple yet striking way. The Calligraphy Ink Art captures this essence in minimalistic strokes, as though the lines are dancing with the narration themselves. The thought of Bhagavan in japa, puja, and upasana-like sadhanas uplift our minds towards that Bhagavan. Similarly, the art forms of painting, dance, and music also achieve the same single-pointedness towards our ishtadevata. When every thought in the waking world begins with Bhagavan and ends in HIM, then upasana is steadily strengthened. The culmination of such sadhana is when we experience oneness!

This is explained by Sant Goswami Tulsidas in this verse:

सीय राममय सब जग जानी। कर‌उँ प्रनाम जोरि जुग पानी॥

Siya Rammaya sab jag jani | Karahun pranam jori jug pani ||

I find Sita and Rama in every part of the world. I therefore pay homage to all with folded hands.

May Bhagavan and Pujya Gurudev’s blessings be upon Swami Sarveshananda and the readers of this book towards the fulfillment of all sadhana – Oneness with Bhagavan. May we share Bhagavan Shri RamJi’s glory and may He purify us all.