Dr. Manju Nahata
Lifetime
Born: 14 November, 1955, Gangashahar, Rajasthan
Contact
Mobile: +91 9433028281
E-Mail: manjunahata55@gmail.com
About
Personal Details
Born on 14th November 1955 (Gangashahar, Rajasthan) to Shri Khemchandji and Smt. Gulabdevi Sethia, Dr. Manju Nahata is a multi-dimensional personality, a Jain scholar and artist of distinction. Her diligent efforts to study and teach Jain philosophy has been aided by the support of her husband, Shri Surendraji Nahata (Sardarshahar, Rajasthan).
Education | ||
1. | Ph.D in Jainology and Comparative Religion and Philosophy, Jain Vishva Bharati University, Ladnun, Rajasthan. Research thesis – ‘Interpretation of Anekantvada through Paintings’ | 1999-2002 |
2. | M.A. in Jainology and Comparative Religion and Philosophy, Jain Vishva Bharati University, Rajasthan. Secured 1st Division | 1997-1999 |
3. | B.A, Jain Vishva Bharati University, Rajasthan. Secured 1st Division | 1993-1996 |
4. | Diploma Course (4 Years) of Visual Arts in Indian Style of Painting, Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata. Secured 1st Class | 1990-1994 |
Additional Courses | ||
1. | Elementary and Advanced Courses in Prakrit Language and Literature, Bhogilal Leharchand Institute of Indology, Delhi | 2004, 2007 |
2. | Special training in Bengal School of Art under Sri Dhirendra Nath Brahma, Kolkata | 1994-2006 |
3. | Special training in Rajasthani style of painting under Kalavid Dwarka Prasad Sharma, Jaipur | 1992-1994 |
4. | Certificate Course in Museum Studies on Indian Art, Indian Museum, Kolkata | 1990 |
5. | Certificate Course in Art and Aesthetics, Birla Academy of Art & Culture. Kolkata. | 1989 |
6. | Course in French language (1 year), Alliance Francais, Kolkata | 1983 |
7. | Spoken French Audio Visual Course (6 months) at Alliance Francais, Kolkata | 1978 |
Awards and Honours | ||
1. | ‘Appreciation Award’ by Jain Academy of Scholars, Ahmedabad, for organizing many exhibitions on basic doctrines of Jain philosophy and painting nearly 1000 Jain manuscripts written by Jain saints. | 2022 |
2. | ‘Shravika Gaurav’ Honour by Akhil Bhartiya Terapanth Mahila Mandal, India for Outstanding Work in Jain Studies and Propagation of Jain Philosophy | 2009 |
3. | ‘Jain Vidya Puraskar’ from Jain Vishva Bharati, Rajasthan, for Research work in Jain Philosophy | 2005 |
4. | ‘Pratibha Puraskar’ by Akhil Bhartiya Terapanth Mahila Mandal for contribution in the field of Jain Art | 2000 |
5. | Special Prize from Indian Society of Oriental Arts, Kolkata, for a Painting on Lord Mahavira | 1994 |
6. | Award for Excellence by Institute of Visual Arts, Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata for Proficiency in Indian Painting | 1994 |
7. | ‘Mrinal Kanti Award’ by Institute of Visual Arts, Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata for Outstanding Work in Indian Painting | 1993 |
8. | ‘Brahmi Kala Puraskar’ by Vichar Manch, Kolkata, for Proficiency in Art | 1990 |
Group Exhibitions | ||
1. | ‘A Memorabilia on Jainism’, organised by Bhagavan Mahavira 2600th Birth Anniversary Celebration Committee, Kolkata | 2001 |
2. | Annual Exhibition organised by Indian Society of Oriental Arts, Kolkata | 1995 |
3. | All India 59th Annual Exhibition Organised by the Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata | 1994 |
4. | Annual Exhibition organised by Indian Society of Oriental Arts, Kolkata | 1994 |
5. | Annual Exhibition of Institute of Visual Arts, Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata | 1994 |
6. | Annual Exhibition of Institute of Visual Arts, Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata | 1993 |
7. | Annual Exhibition organised by Indian Society of Oriental Arts, Kolkata | 1992 |
8. | Art in Aluminium, organised by Indian Aluminium Company Ltd. at Gallery Chemould, Kolkata | 1992 |
9. | Annual Exhibition organised by Indian Society of Oriental Arts, Kolkata | 1991 |
Solo Exhibitions | ||
1. | Illustration of the ‘Quotes of Acharya Tulsi’, at Florida International University, Miami, USA | 2014 |
2. | Replica of the Mural Painting (56’ x 4’) on ‘Life of the Jain Acharya, Ganadhipati Tulsi’, at Florida International University, Miami, USA | 2014 |
3. | Replica of the Mural Painting (56’ x 4’) on ‘Life of the Jain Acharya, Ganadhipati Tulsi’, at Jaina Convention, Detroit, USA | 2013 |
4. | An exhibition of a Mural Painting (56’ x 4’) on the life of the Jain Acharya, Ganadhipati Tulsi, at Indian Museum, Kolkata | 2006 |
5. | Presented a ‘Painting Exhibition on Anekant’ at the International Seminar on Anekant : A dialogue on Human Concerns, Vadodara, Gujarat organised by Jain Vishva Bharati University | 2002 |
6. | ‘Nirakar:Sakar’, an exhibition of paintings based on the 24 Jain Tirthankaras at Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Kolkata | 1997 |
7. | An Exhibition of Aluminium Foil Paintings at Kolkata | 1987 |
Commission | ||
1. | Painted 1000 (approx.) Jain manuscripts written by Jain monks and nuns | 2000-2010 |
Lectures | ||
1. | Conducted a series of Virtual lectures with Terapanth Professional Forum on Gyan Mimamasa and From being to becoming Jain | 2021 |
2. | Conducted a series of Virtual lectures with Akhil Bhartiya Terapanth Mahila Mandal on Jain Geography and Anekantvad | 2020-2021 |
3. | Presented a paper on ‘Antiquity of Jainism through Art & Archaeology’ in an International Seminar on ‘Traces of Sraman Tradition prior to 650 B.C.’ in Pune organized by International School for Jain Studies, New Delhi, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune and Firodia Trust. | 2019 |
4. | Deliverd a lecture on ‘Jain Geography’ at a conference organised by Terapanth Professional Forum, at Kolkata. | 2017 |
5. | Delivered a lecture on ‘Relevance of Jainism today : Anuvrat Perspectives’ at Utkal University of Culture, Bhubneswar | 2017 |
6. | Delivered Presidential Address during a seminar on ‘Aparigrah and Welfare Economics’ organised by The National Council Of Education,Bengal in association with South Calcutta Shri Jain Shwetamber Terapanthi Sabha in commemoration of Acharya Tulsi Birth Centenary | 2017 |
7. | Delivered a lecture on ‘JAINISM’ during a seminar on Hindu, Jain and Buddhist philosophies at Bhartiya Bhasha Parishad, Kolkata | 2016 |
8. | Delivered a lecture, ‘Visual Exposition of Anekantvada’ at University of Madras, Chennai | 2015 |
9. | Delivered a lecture, ‘Anekantvada through Paintings’ at International School For Jain Studies, New Delhi | 2015, 2016 |
10. | Delivered a lecture, ‘Many splendored hues of Modern Jainism under the aegis of Acharya Tulsi’ at ‘Acharya Tulsi and the Making of Modern Jainism’ International Conference, Florida International University, USA | 2014 |
11. | Delivered a lecture, ‘Importance of Jainism and Namaskar Mahamantra’ at Terapanth Professional Forum, Kolkata | 2010 |
12. | Delivered four lectures at Bodhi Vyakhyanmala, Bhikshu Granthakar Kolkata · ‘Namaskar Mahamantra’ · ‘Gunasthan in Jain philosophy’ · ‘Why do we Celebrate Samavatsri ? · ‘Karmic theory in Jainism’ | 2006-2007 |
13. | Delivered a lecture,‘Jain Mathematics and its cultural underpinnings’ at the Annual Conference of Association for Improvement of Mathematics Teaching | 2006 |
14. | Delivered a lecture on ‘Anekantvada through Paintings’ at National Symposium on Anekant -Theory and Practice, Gangashahar, Rajasthan organised by Jain Vishva Bharati University | 2001 |
Publications | ||
1. | A book Jain Dharma me Karma-Mimamsa Part-3-6 parts in manuscripts) | 2021 |
2. | A book Jain Dharma me Karma-Mimamsa Part-2 | 2022 |
3. | A book Jain Dharma me Karma-Mimamsa Part-1 | 2021 |
4. | An article ‘Namo Arahantanam : Ek Vivechan’ published in Kolkata Mahila Mandal’s silver jubilee publication | 2017 |
5. | A book Anekantvada through Paintings | 2012 |
6. | A research article ‘Jain Mathematics and its Cultural Underpinnings’ published in Indian journal of Mathematics Teaching published by Association for Improvement of Mathematics Teaching | 2007 |
7. | An article on ‘Non-absolutism’ published in ‘You Can Change the World’ | 2002 |
Teaching Experience | ||
1. | Jain Scholar Scheme by Akhil Bhartiya Terapanth Mahila Mandal – Taught Elementary Prakrit Language, Jain Geography, Gyan Mimamasa, Praman Mimamsa and Jain Karmic Theory | 2011-continued |
2. | Taking Contact Classes in Hindi Literature and Jainology for M.A and B.A. students of Jain Vishva Bharati University’s Distant Education Course | 2000-2018 |
3. | Conceptualized & initiated (elementary, intermediate and advanced) courses in Jainism: history, culture, philosophy & karmic theory | 2004 Presently ongoing |
Professional Affiliations | ||
1. | Research Fellow and Regional Coordinator of BMIRC, JVBI, Rajasthan | 2015 |
2. | Senate Member of Jain Vishva Bharati Institute, Rajasthan | 2006-2008, 2019-2021 |
3. | Chief Editor of ‘Abhyudaya’ monthly journal of Jain Shwetambar Terapanthi Mahasabha, India | 2006-2012 |
4. | Director of Jain Scholar Scheme of Akhil Bhartiya Terapanth Mahila Mandal, India | 2010-Present |
5. | Convenor of ‘Bhikshu Granthagar’ Library of Jain Shwetambar Terapanthi Mahasabha, Kolkata | 2006- Present |
Articles and Reviews | ||
1. | Rajasthan Patrika , Kolkata, ‘धर्मों में दार्शनिक वैविध्य पर संगोष्ठी’ | September 2016 |
2. | Hindustan Times, Kolkata, ‘Mural Tribute to Jain Guru’ | August 2006 |
3. | The Tribune, Chandigarh, ‘The Peaceful Liberators,again’ | March 2002 |
4. | The Economic Times, Kolkata, ‘Elaborate Narrative Tableaux’ | August 1997 |
5. | The Statesman, Kolkata, ‘More than a Pastime’ | August 1997 |
6. | The Asian Age, Kolkata, ‘Tirthankaras come alive on canvas’ | August 1997 |
7. | The Telegraph, Kolkata, ‘Laudable Endeavour’ | December 1989 |