HERE'S A Krsna conscious project you might like to support or get involved in. We'll tell you what the goals are, who's involved, what's going on, what's blocking the way, and how you can give a hand.
Project
Cultural Institute for the Vedic Arts (CIVA)
Headquarters
Hare Krsna temple, Brooklyn, New York
Project Leader
Yadurani Devi Dasi, from New York City, a Hare Krsna devotee since 1966. Srila Prabhupada's senior woman disciple, Yadurani painted, alone or with others, more than two hundred paintings published in theBhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and Caitanya-caritamrta.
Goal
To flood the world with Krsna conscious comic books and picture books. These books are for everyone, and especially for children and others reading mainly in this format.
Details
In 1969 Srila Prabhupada wrote to Rayarama Dasa, the first editor of Back to Godhead, "I think in each and every issue a similar story sketch [the comic section] may be printed and it will be very interesting to the American reading public. It is interesting and thought-provoking. Therefore the more we print such sketch stories, it will appear greater in appreciation."
In 1976 in Vrndavana, Srila Prabhupada told Yadurani he wanted picture books of all the books he had translated. He specifically mentioned picture books of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, The Nectar of Devotion, and the Bhagavad-gita. He said, "Just picture-caption, picture-caption." He said that everyone would like our work. "It will be like the rain after the drought of mundane art."
So far CIVA has published two comics, The Advent and The Confrontation.
Plans
Another comic, Demoncraft, is ready for printing. Syamantaka Jewel and Kaliya Krsna should come out in a few months. CIVA would like to eventually publish a book every month.
Obstacles
The first obstacle is to find qualified writers, people who can retell a story from the Vedic literature in a suspenseful, three-dimensional way and yet not depart from Prabhupada's original translation. Second, the project needs a general manager. And third, it needs funding. CIVA needs $30,000-$40,000 to get the next few books into print.
How you can help
CIVA needs competent, responsible, and qualified artists, writers, editors, inkers, letterers, colorists, typists, sales personnel, and fund raisers. If you can fulfill any of these needs, or know someone who can, please contact:
Yadurani Devi Dasi
c/o CIVA
305 Schermerhorn Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: (718) 858-9459