Mumbai, 28 August, 2024: It was a cherishing moment for Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Eknath Shinde when he received a holy painting depicting Lord Vitthal and Rakhumai, the most beloved and worshipped God by Varkaris of the State, directly from South Africa.
Mr Jayesh Rathod who has been appreciating India’s rich Religious Art culture have came across a Durban – based (South Africa) international artist of Indian Origin Vishal Mothilall, who is dedicated to religious and spiritual art, has painted Lord Vitthal and Rakhumai in his unique portraying styles.
Vishal Mothilall, a young artist from Durban with Indian heritage, who is known for his penchant to portray distinctive paintings of Indian Gods and Goddesses, gifted his exclusive masterpiece of Lord Vitthal and Rakhumai to Maharashtra’s Chief Minister recently at the hands of Mr Rathod.
Mr Eknath Shinde was overwhelmed to receive this unique painting of Lord Vitthal and Rakhumai where both the deities are shown in a distinct way than are usually depicted. Mr Shinde praised the creativity of Vishal Mothilal and called it as a masterpiece that showed the Lord as Vishwas Palak (Guardian of the Universe) would strengthen the cultural bond between India and South Africa, particularly Maharashtra.
Born in Durban to a family of Indian origin with ancestral roots in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Vishal’s family has been settled in South Africa for three generations. Vishal’s journey as an artist began at the age of four, driven by his deep connection to Hindu culture and spirituality. Despite not receiving formal training, his natural talent flourished. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the Durban University of Technology, he continued his passion for devotional paintings alongside his profession.
Vishal Mothilall explains, “As an artist, I am deeply fascinated by the rich Hindu culture I belong to. Growing up in South Africa, I developed a strong connection to Hindu scriptures and deities. Each deity, as portrayed in our sacred texts, embodies beauty, symbolism, transformation, and strength. I believe art transcends language barriers, speaking directly to the soul, creating change, and bringing new awareness. My paintings are expressions of my imagination, aiming to convey a spiritual message and inspire a purposeful life.”
Vishal’s portraits of Shiv Parvati, Sri Srinathji, Lord Krishna, Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswati, Maa Durga, and Sita are notable for their calm and benign expressions. For instance, he has depicted Goddess Durga slaying the demon Mahishasur, not in the usual angry avatar, but with a serene demeanor.
