Please meet Drdha Vrata Gorrick, a resident of Mayapur Dham and an exceptional artist now attached to the ToVP team. Drdha Dasa will be helping the ToVP with creating the Vedic Chandelier by focusing mainly on its figures and scenes, and creating those in sculptures.
Born in New Vrindavan, USA, Drdha began practicing art at the age of 7. As a young boy, Drdha was mainly attracted to Asian art. He says that it made sense and had a system to it; it was rather technical but with a lovely rasa at the same time. Most of the art being produced these days is on a gross level but Drdha is ever inspired by the purity and tradition of ancient Asian cultures.
There is depth in Indian art.
His talent soon emerged and he then entered into formal training. For five years Drdha studied the principles of traditional iconography, iconometry, sculpture and painting according to Shilpa Shastras (ancient canons on arts and architecture) in Chennai, South India. After being there for some years he returned to Mayapur to work on the Simantini temple in Rajpur, next to the Jagannath Mandir.
Dhrda says that he has been preparing to work for this temple project since studying in South India and his plan was always to perfect his craft and then come to Mayapur to provide his services. He feels that this union was meant to happen.
Simantini devi project: http://mayapur.com/node/1355
Deities’ installation day: http://mayapur.com/node/1706
Drdha’s website: www.drdhaarts.com