Astro Mohan’s Coffee table book on Pejawar Seer ‘A Day with the Saint – Then & Now’ released
Karnataka Samskrutha University former vice-chancellor Professor Mallepuram G Venkatesh formally launched the book.
In his message, Mallepuram G Venkatesh said that Sri Vishvesha Theertha Swamiji, popularly known to all as Sri Pejawar Swamiji, is a highly admired and respected religious leader who is widely credited as the initiator of many social reforms. In fact, he is considered to be the true spiritual leader of our country. He is known for his bold initiatives, revolutionary thinking, humanitarian activities and approaches aimed for the betterment of the society.
Today ace Photo Journalist Astro Mohan has made an attempt to bring out a coffee table book on Pejawar Math’s Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji’s 4th and 5th Paryaya days. Like the proverb, a picture is worth a thousand words, like Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji’s every Picture, will give us thousand messages. By making the coffee table book by Astro Mohan we can imagine each and every work of Pejawar Swamiji today and forever, he said.
Dr M Mohan Alva Chairman of Alvas Education Foundation said, “Viswesha Tirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Math is known for simplicity. He is a role model for all the Seers in the country. The Pejawar Seer’s life is the best example of how one should live and involve oneself in activities to create religious awareness among people”.
Dr Sandhya Pai editor of Taranga said, “Pejawar Swamiji is an icon of not just the Hindu community, he has accepted the entire human society as his domain, which is characterized by love for all communities including backward communities. He is an inspiration to all of us”.
Addressing the gathering Sri Vishvesha Theertha Swamiji said, “Today I would like to thank Astro Mohan for dedicating me his coffee table book. The Pictures taken by Astro Mohan in Naxal areas have touched my heart. Today whatever I have achieved is just because of God’s grace. People have accepted me as a saint and I have done my duty. People should try to attain Self-Realisation which help them to do better things in his life”, he said.
Sri Vidyadheesha Theertha Swamiji of Sri Palimar Math also graced the occasion.
Dr H S Ballal Pro Chancellor MAHE Manipal, Vinod Kumar CEO Manipal Media Network LTD also spoke on the occasion.
Astro Mohan welcomed the gathering, Janardhan Kodavoor delivered the vote of thanks, Prathima Acharya led the prayers and Vasudev Bhat compered the programme. Praveen Mohan Publisher Bhootharaja Publications was also present.
About “A Day with the Saint – Then & Now”
The 108-pages book has rare pictures captured with different emotions of the Seer – Devotion and Spiritual besides his involvement in education, culture and social activities and in particular the routine of his Paryaya days. In addition, the book also has a collection of pictures taken on the Seer’s 80th birthday. The artistically captured pictures, 118 in all, are in colour. The write-up along with the pictures is both in Kannada and English. The photos have not just captured the moments, but also the emotions of a Saint as seen by the photographer through his sensitive eyes and lens. Precious moments are precisely, poetically and artistically frozen for the present and posterity. A fine way of showing deep respect and admiration by the photographer towards the Seer who is relentlessly contributing to the welfare of mankind. The book is indeed a tribute by the photographer to the great soul.
The photos are categorized under four chapters – 1) A Day with The Saint – Then & Now; 2) Electrification of Naxal affected village; 3) 80th anniversary of Sanyasa Deekhsa and 4) Most memorable photo gallery.
The photos are a delight to the viewers as they are artistically captured by the seasoned photographer. The book is a collector’s delight too. The foreword for the book is authored by Dr Sandhya S Pai, Editor, Taranga Weekly. The messages are given by Karnataka Governor Vajubai Vala, Member of Parliament L K Advani, Union Minister Sadvi Uma Bharati, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Dharmastala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Eminent Scholar Dr Bannanje Govindacharya and Seers of Udupi Astha Maths.