Now, Mayawati painted in divine forms

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has now been painted in shades of divinity. A 25-year-old painter has projected Mayawati as a goddess in several paintings on display at Lalit Kala Akademi here. Mahesh Tripathi, who is pursuing post-graduation in fine arts, said: "I feel that she (Mayawati) in the last few years has done a lot for the poor and downtrodden, that in turn would enable her to acquire the status of a `devi` (goddess) in near future."

In one such painting titled Dalit Devi, Mayawati has been depicted as a goddess with a halo in her background, her hand held out as if she is blessing the viewer. "Like Guru Nanak and Jesus Christ, she has been devoted to the cause of downtrodden. Considering this fact, I depicted her as a Dalit goddess," Tripathi, a resident of Siddharthnagar district, told reporters. In another painting, the artist has corelated Mayawati with Hindu goddess of wealth Laxmi. In the painting, Mayawati is shown with tresses, standing atop a lotus with two elephants near her feet. "The painting projects Mayawati as the goddess of wealth, knowledge and peace. In the painting she (Mayawati) holds a kamandal, which symbolizes that she leads a simple life," said the artist. Tripathi clarified that he has no plans to join the politics. "Many would think that I have tried to appease Mayawati by depicting her in divine forms. I want to make it clear that I have no intention to join politics. I made such paintings as I got impressed by the chief minister, who rose to power after facing hardships and several problems." In other paintings, Tripathi has shown the trio of Mayawati, Bahujan Samaj Party founder Kanshiram and Dalit icon BR Ambedkar. IANS