‘Vishnu: Hinduism’s Blue-Skinned Savior’ in the US

'Vishnu: Hinduism’s Blue-Skinned Savior' is a significant show that takes place at Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville, USA.

Vishnu: Hinduism's Blue-Skinned Savior is among the first major museum exhibits to focus on Vishnu, one of Hinduism’s three major deities. Over 170 paintings, sculptures and ritual arty objects between the fourth and 20th centuries provide a brief survey of the then Hindu art styles and an examination of god-worshipping traditions.

Known as a gentle god, Vishnu is recognized in paintings by his blue skin, reflecting his calm demeanor and his associations with the natural elements of sea and sky. A very interesting figure in his primary form, the complexity of his character becomes evident when the deity assumes new forms, or avatars, in order to save the planet from various dangers. Vishnu’s ten avatars, comprising Rama and Krishna, are a pointer to the multiplicity of ways one can envision and interact with the divine force. The exhibit is accompanied by an illustrated catalog from Mapin Publishing.

A curatorial note to the exhibition elaborates: “Hinduism is the world’s third-largest religion. It was first codified in the country around 1000 BCE and has been practiced there since then, perpetually absorbing new approaches and beliefs, even while continuing to recognize the older traditions’ sanctity. Each of the three important Hindu deities—Vishnu the Preserver, Devi the Great Goddess, and Shiva the Destroyer - is believed by his worshippers to be solely responsible for creating as well as maintaining the cycle of life, and also to be a portal to ultimate salvation.”

To his contemporary worshippers, Vishnu is the ultimate embodiment of light, truth, and power. He is a formless entity well beyond human comprehension. Vishnu: Hinduism’s Blue-Skinned Savior is organized thematically, opening with ‘Images of Vishnu’, an exploration of his fundamental traits, introducing the god in his primary form—human in shape through some exquisite sculptures in material like sandstone, granite, bronze etc; and in aesthetic - from simple to intricate carving.