(Minghui.org) Pragati Maidan is a popular convention center in New Delhi and an major tourist attraction. Paintings from the Art of Zhen, Shan, Ren (Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance) collection were on display at a Falun Dafa practitioners’ booth at the HAAT of Art Exhibition in the Pragati Maidan from January 19 to 21, 2024.

The HAAT of Art exhibition, which is now touring several major cities in India, is the country’s largest annual visual arts exhibition. It features works by more than 3000 artists representing all kinds of media and draws more than 10,000 visitors. Works by well known professionals including doctors, actors, and singers are also on display, and these celebrities hold live performances during the event. Prior to this, practitioners also had a booth at the exhibition in Mumbai.

Practitioners displayed works from the Art of Zhen, Shan, Ren collection at the HAAT of Art Exhibition in New Delhi.

Practitioners tell visitors the stories behind each painting.

Local Media Report on the Exhibition

The Art of Zhen, Shan, Ren booth displayed 14 paintings created by Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) practitioners from around the world. These artworks depict the courage and compassion shown by practitioners while the Chinese Communist Party has persecuted their faith since 1999.

Delhi News, a local English language newspaper, published a feature report on the exhibition on January 21 titled: “Falun Dafa: Art of Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance.” The News Wallet, a weekly paper, also published a report on the artworks.

Delhi News published a report on the exhibition titled “Falun Dafa: Art of Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance” (Photo courtesy Delhi News).

News Wallet published a report on the exhibition (Photo courtesy News Wallet).

Practitioners guided visitors through the artworks, giving the background behind each painting. Those who wanted to know more about Falun Dafa were given information. Many visitors took lotus flowers the practitioners offered, which reiterated the principles of Falun Dafa—Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

People had a deep impression of the peaceful protests by practitioners over the past 24 years of persecution. They praised the quality of the paintings and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to see them in New Delhi.

Some people wanted to learn Falun Dafa and bought books on the teachings in Hindi and English.

Senior Journalist Supports Falun Dafa

Ram Bahadur Rai is the president of Indira Gandhi National Center  for Arts and former chief editor of Jansatta, a daily Hindi newspaper. He has written many articles about the ongoing persecution of Falun Dafa.

He was delighted to see the artworks about Falun Dafa and the persecution. He said their spiritual content inspired people to pay attention to the many brutal acts of persecution faced by practitioners even today.

Ram Bahadur Rai (right), a senior Hindi language journalist, listens as a practitioner explains the background of each painting.

He said, “I can say Falun Dafa is a spiritual revolution. The number of people practicing Falun Dafa once surpassed the number of Communist Party members. The CCP started the persecution because it was afraid of the threat the popularity of the practice posed to its power.”

He expressed his support for the practitioners’ efforts and said they were calling on people to pay attention to the suffering of practitioners in China. He hopes that their message can be passed to more countries. He said, “I think all countries, governments, and those who work for humanity and human rights should work hard to help Falun Dafa practitioners gain the freedom to practice their belief.”

People from All Walks of Life Moved by the Paintings

Vindu Dara Singh, a TV celebrity and actor, helped to curate the HAAT of Art Exhibition. He came to the booth in New Delhi again after first seeing the paintings at the exhibition in Mumbai.

TV celebrity and actor Vindu Dara Singh (center, in a white jacket) saw the Art of Zhen, Shan, Ren in New Delhi.

Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma is a Member of Parliament in West Delhi. He is also one of the main guests at the HAAT of Art Exhibition. When he saw the paintings, he said, “I am aware of the persecution.”

Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma (center), a Member of Parliament, saw the paintings with Falun Dafa practitioners.

Raman Trikha is an actor and Bollywood celebrity. He listened to a practitioner’s introduction of the paintings and took information on Falun Dafa.

Raman Trikha (second from left) took a brochure on Falun Dafa at the Art of Zhen, Shan, Ren exhibition.

Inspired to Learn about Falun Dafa

Besides these well known guests, many art students, artists, staff members, and visitors from all different backgrounds saw the paintings. A detailed introduction next to the paintings explained the story behind each one. Many people said they planned to learn more about Falun Dafa and the exercises.

Pulkit Anya from Lucknow said, “I didn’t know the whole world is suffering. These paintings are truly touching!”

Visitors wrote down comments after seeing the paintings.

An art student wept after seeing the paintings and learning about the persecution practitioners are suffering. He said the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance were moving and he wanted to learn the exercises. He said he wanted to tell people about Falun Dafa and the ongoing persecution in China.

There was a guestbook at the booth where visitors could write about what they felt after they saw the paintings. Many people said they were delighted to see such beautiful artworks and praised the meaning behind them.

Peeyush wrote, “‘An Orphan’s Sorrow’ was the best painting. I wish the artists all the best!” Vinay Kumar from New Delhi wrote, “The traditional painting skills used in the artworks are beautiful.”

Some visitors were moved by the spirit shown in the paintings. Sakshi Bhansali wrote, “The artist perfectly expressed concepts that one can only imagine in hyper realistic form.” Prithvi Paul wrote that he saw, “Amazing arts expressing beautiful thoughts, in depth and with moving information.”

Abhilasha wrote, “I love the idea presented in these paintings. You must let more people know about this wonderful cultivation way.”

Manya Aggarwal wrote, “It is worthwhile seeing these paintings. The stories and philosophy are even more praiseworthy! I loved it!”