Seer bears the Cross

LEAD STORY: "It is a new response to the arrest of the Kanchi Acharya. A sculpture of the Seer depicting him with a cross on the shoulders was unveiled by Hussaini, a well-known karate exponent and teacher, who is also an artist an sculptor.

The bronze coated metal reinforced fibre statue depicts the Acharya bearing a cross which also resembles a trishul, a picturisation of the Hindu belief. Looking skywards, the Acharya's right hand is stretched heavenwards, as if looking for answers from above to the entire issue. Entitled 'Curse or Cross?', 'the statue is a refelction of Shankaracharya's state of mind', claims Hussaini.

Speaking more on the sculpture, Hussaini said that personally he strongly endorsed the stand of the state government and the Chief Minister that 'no one is above the law', but as a creative artist he could not hide his reactions to the issue.

Hussaini said that only the Seer knew the truth about the issue and it is not clear whether he was carrying the curse of the multitude of his followers, as depicted by the 'trishul', or has been made a scapegoat for the mistakes of others, as depicted by the cross.

Also, an inscription of Satyameva 'Jay'te is in place. Made at a cost of Rs five-lakh, the statue has been priced at Rs one crore by the artist. 'However, I am prepared to donate the sculpture to the Kanchi Mutt free of cost if there is a request', said Hussaini."