Rare paintings on St. Teresa to be on display for post-canonisation tribute

As many as 90 paintings on St. Teresa - including rare ones towering at eight feet and endorsed by her - by eminent artists and close aides of the nun, will be displayed in a week-long exposition starting September 29 here as part of the post-canonisation programme, officials of the Missionaries of Charity and Archdiocese of Calcutta said on Thursday.

"Post canonisation we will carry on the celebration as a tribute to St. Teresa and spread her message of peace and kindness," MoC's Superior-General, Sister Mary Prema said here. There will be an allfaith prayer, a Mother Walk, an art exhibition, thanksgiving holy eucharist followed by civic tribute to St. Teresa, cultural programme and a homage to the mother.

Beginning September 24, the tributes would continue till October 4 at Mother House, St. Xavier's College, Netaji Indoor Stadium and Shanti Dan, reported IANS.

St. Xavier's College will host the painting exhibition themed "A Tribute to Saint Teresa of Calcutta", said Father Dominic Gomes, vicar general, and public relation officer of the Archdiocese of Calcutta.

"The highlight of the exhibition will be rare paintings of St. Teresa by Nimai Sengupta, a retired art teacher of St. Xavier's Collegiate School. Mother Teresa herself had endorsed some of his paintings. He will showcase 22 paintings and some of them are eight feet high and depict her work," said Father Dominic Savio, rector of the college.

MoC spokesperson and Mother Teresa's close aide Sunita Kumar, and another close associate Ritu Singh have contributed art works in addition to those offered by artists Subash Maity, Jogen Chowdhury and others.

"Ignatius Xavier from Hyderabad will showcase his Ahimsa style of painting using only vegetation," said Father Savio.

Vice President Hamid Ansari will be the guest of honour at the civic tribute on October 2.