How to Meet a Hindu | India

The last work of Indian contemporary master artist Tyeb Mehta, painted just before his death in 2009, is now on view in Delhi, India in a rare exposition of the artist`s unseen work at India Art Summit through Feb. 18. Mehta, one of India`s most expensive artists, created auction history in 2005, when his ‘Mahishasura,' an interpretation of the buffalo-demon of Hindu mythology was bought for $1.58 million dollars at Christie's auction in New York.

Hinduism, is the third largest religion in the world, but have you ever met a Hindu artist, or even a Hindu? Do you know even a little about what Hinduism? According to Webster, it is the dominant religion of India that emphasizes dharma with its resulting ritual and social observances and often mystical contemplation and ascetic practices." A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to spend an 8-hour drive during a snow storm with a young Hindu attorney, Neha Matta who graciously gave me a much needed education. She began with saying, "It is the world's oldest religion still in existence, with over a billion followers."

Obviously, the most effective way to counter a prejudice is to know someone about whom the prejudice is supposed to apply. Those who personally know Hindus are far less likely to have negative thoughts and feelings about them, or to confuse them with Muslims—but in a country of over 300 million Americans, and overwhelmingly Christian, and under 2-million Hindus, this advice remains wishful. I suggest another way, explore Hindu art & culture by visiting the museum collection at your local art museum.

I've found that art rules every part of Indian life, and is found in every reference of ancient Indian Civilization. Indian art is considered a disciplined style of worship and self-restraint. In doing my own research, it's hard to identify a major art museum without a collection of Hindu art and the second most popular figure seems to be lord Shiva. He is visually represented as "King of Dance" or Nataraja. The Shiva is a symbol of divine powers which has been frozen in stone and bronze for around 5,000 years. The #1 figure however, and recently popularized to American audiences in the book and movie, "Love, Eat, Pray" is the elephant deity Ganesha.

I also asked my new Hindu friend, Neha Matta to name their sacred text, and she told me it is called the Shastra and later, I found a helpful website on it. What I've discovered is that it is a conglomeration of religious, philosophical, and cultural ideas and practices that originated in India, characterized by the belief in reincarnation, and one absolute being of multiple manifestations. It's a faith about "cause and effect," and following the path of righteousness to end the "cycle of births and deaths."

Obviously none of this new knowledge makes me an expert on Hinduism,  nor does visiting a museum increase your chances of meeting a Hindu. However in a nation where their small population is not distributed evenly across the country (See Temple distribution), but concentrated in places like California, and major cities such as Chicago and New York City, exploring their art at your local museum is a good place to start for when you do meet a Hindu.