Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) Gallery A South Asian Treasure Trove

From:
http://toronto.cityguide.ca/new-south-asian-gallery-in-the-rom-017235.php and other sources.

Images from: http://www.rom.on.ca/exhibitions/wculture/southasia.php

On February 16th, the Sir Christopher Ondaatje South Asian Gallery at the ROM begins to showcase the traditions of South Asia. Spanning over 5,000 years, each artifact showcases elements of South Asian history. Nine exhibited areas present South Asian sculpture, religious objects, decorative arts, arms and armour, miniature paintings and textiles. The artifacts span from countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tibet. At 4,000 square feet, the Ondaatje Gallery is house over 35 artifact from the diverse blend of South Asian traditions.

Highlights of the exhibit include a momument head of a Bodhisattva (enlightened being), created in stucco and date to 4th-5th centure. A rare, recently acquired 15th century Kalpasutra (legends of Jain saviours) manuscript is prominently displayed. An elaborately painted textile, a palampore, depictin the Tree of Life, from early 18th

“This gallery is uniquely Canadian,” says Sir Christopher Ondaatje. “While conflict exists in many parts of the world, here in Canada we have created a tremendously diverse South Asian gallery, with Canada’s varied South Asian communities and the ROM matching my initial support. What an achievement! It is to this ideal that I pledged a further $1 million. Canada is the great United Nations experiment, and it is working.”

Stone sculpture of Hindu god Vishnu (left) and model of temple (right) in the process of being installed on "Visualizing Divinity" section of the Sir Christopher Ondaatje South Asian Gallery,

February 2008. Gallery: Sir Christopher Ondaatje South Asian Gallery

For more information see:
http://www.rom.on.ca/news/releases/public.php?mediakey=9kum0qkvla&media=print
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/303087
http://www.rom.on.ca/news/releases/public.php?mediakey=9kum0qkvla

TEGSA’s VALENTINE DAY
“ MESSAGE of LOVE”

Valentine’s Day is a special day for sweet hearts and TEGSA celebrated this special day on February 8th, 2008 with its message of love.
 

( Click to view large )

The bad weather we have been having did little to deter the large attendance. The hall was aglow with red decorations, most everyone had something red on --- red dresses, shirts, skirts, ties, shoes and even red heart shaped decals displayed on their faces. Yes, members came prepared to have a good time.

Dinner was a sumptuous plate of King Fish curry and rice, fish cutlets, green beans and home made vegetable pickle cooked in true goan style. It was delicious. For dessert we had fruit salad with tea and coffee.

After dinner a 4-piece band, the “DEMBOYS” entertained us with some fine music for our listening and dancing pleasure. Needless to say our members were soon on the floor and the tempo changed to a faster beat. It was nice to see people mingling with each other and making new  friends in the true spirit of TEGSA

The ladies were all treated to a free BINGO and RAFFLE ticket and during the evening the ladies had a special Valentine Day Parade and Fatima Lawson, was the lucky lady to be our TEGSA Valentine Queen.

Two rounds of Bingo followed and we all went home happy and ready to celebrate February 14th, Valentine’s Day in grand style.

STAGE WEST’S
“BEAUTY & THE BEAST”
A HIT WITH TEGSA MEMBERS

TEGSA members and guests were happy to enjoy a buffet brunch, relax and go back in time to enjoy one of their childhood stories, on Sunday, February 10, 2008.

To some it was a repeat, but they all enjoyed this Stage West’s presentation if not more. Those who saw it for the first time, reacted even more enthusiastically. Every moment from the romantic set, to the beautiful voices, acting, imaginative costumes, special lighting and of course the every-lasting story of “and they lived happily every after” was appreciated by the audience.

Kudos to Theresa and Walter D’Souza who took advantage of TEGSA’s group outing and brought their two grandchildren..
The trip coordinator would like to thank all the members and guests who attended this performance and all their kind words.