Sacred art of Mandalas by Louis of Auroville

An exhibition of sacred mandalas by artist Louis, of Auroville was held at Aurodhan Gallery on the festive day of Holi, on 17 March. Mandalas are geometric art forms that according to the artist aids in concentration, focusing and meditation. They are one of the most popular talked about symbols of the Buddhist religion. The mandalas are simple works of art that have been created with various colors, shapes and different concentric figures. The works of art, no matter how varied, all work on the same principle of geometry; a geometry that according to Louis is sacred.

The color symbolism as is popularly known is: White – Vairocana: The delusion of ignorance becomes the wisdom of reality; Yellow – Ratnasambhava: The delusion of pride becomes the wisdom of sameness; Red – Amitabha: The delusion of attachment becomes the wisdom of discernment; Green – Amoghasiddhi: The delusion of jealousy becomes the wisdom of accomplishment; Blue – Akshobhya: The delusion of anger becomes the mirror like wisdom.

Louis is a painter and sculptor who lives in Auroville. He is credited for initiating the first art gallery of Pondicherry, Satsanga, which is also a popular restaurant of the city. Louis of Auroville has been indulging in the art of the mandalas for the last six years. Some of his works on display at Aurodhan Gallery were the ‘Essential Mandala’ and the ‘Flower of Life’ which according to him is very conducive for enabling concentration.

On display were also little lamps made out of fiber by Louis of Auroville which also reflected the sacred art of the mandalas. According to Louis, the lamps, and their light all help him, and other people in general to meditate and to concentrate on work.

Lalith Verma of Aurodhan Gallery confessed that he was indeed proud to have Louis’s art put on display in the gallery. He agreed to the power of the sacred geometry of mandalas, as did the other members of the crowd who thronged at Aurodhan Gallery to witness the art first hand. 

Photos: Krishnaveni Ilanthirayan

Tathagata Mitra

1st M.A. Mass Communication