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Born: 14.11.1955, Gangashahar, RajasthanContact
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About
Personal Details
Born on 14th November 1955 (Gangashahar, Rajasthan) to Shri Khemchandji and Smt. Gulabdevi Sethia, Dr. Manju Nahata is a multi-dimensional personality, a Jain scholar and artist of distinction. Her diligent efforts to study and teach Jain philosophy has been aided by the support of her husband, Shri Surendraji Nahata (Sardarshahar, Rajasthan).
Education
| Ph.D in Jainology and Comparative Religion and Philosophy, Jain Vishva Bharati University, Ladnun, Rajasthan. Research thesis - ‘Interpretation of Anekantvada through Paintings’ | 1999-2002 |
| M.A. in Jainology and Comparative Religion and Philosophy, Jain Vishva Bharati University, Rajasthan. Secured 1st Division | 1997-1999 |
| B.A, Jain Vishva Bharati University, Rajasthan. Secured 1st Division | 1993-1996 |
| Diploma Course (4 Years) of Visual Arts in Indian Style of Painting, Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata. Secured 1st Class | 1990-1994 |
Additional Courses
| Elementary and Advanced Courses in Prakrit Language and Literature, Bhogilal Leharchand Institute of Indology, Delhi | 2004, 2007 |
| Special training in Bengal School of Art under Sri Dhirendra Nath Brahma, Kolkata | 1994-2006 |
| Special training in Rajasthani style of painting under Kalavid Dwarka Prasad Sharma, Jaipur | 1992-1994 |
| Certificate Course in Museum Studies on Indian Art, Indian Museum, Kolkata | 1990 |
| Certificate Course in Art and Aesthetics, Birla Academy of Art & Culture. Kolkata | 1989 |
| Course in French language (1 year), Alliance Francais, Kolkata | 1983 |
| Spoken French Audio Visual Course (6 months) at Alliance Francais, Kolkata | 1978 |
Awards and Honours
‘Shravika Gaurav’ Honour by Akhil Bhartiya Terapanth Mahila Mandal, India for Outstanding Work in Jain Studies and Propagation of Jain Philosophy | 2009 |
| ‘Jain Vidya Puraskar’ from Jain Vishva Bharati, Rajasthan, for Research work in Jain Philosophy | 2005 |
‘Pratibha Puraskar’ by Akhil Bhartiya Terapanth Mahila Mandal for contribution in the field of Jain Art | 2000 |
| Special Prize from Indian Society of Oriental Arts, Kolkata, for a Painting on Lord Mahavira | 1994 |
| Award for Excellence by Institute of Visual Arts, Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata for Proficiency in Indian Painting | 1994 |
| ‘Mrinal Kanti Award’ by Institute of Visual Arts, Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata for Outstanding Work in Indian Painting | 1993 |
| ‘Brahmi Kala Puraskar’ by Vichar Manch, Kolkata, for Proficiency in Art | 1990 |
Group Exhibitions
‘A Memorabilia on Jainism’, organised by Bhagavan Mahavira 2600th Birth Anniversary Celebration Committee, Kolkata | 2001 |
| Annual Exhibition organised by Indian Society of Oriental Arts, Kolkata | 1995 |
| All India 59th Annual Exhibition Organised by the Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata | 1994 |
| Annual Exhibition organised by Indian Society of Oriental Arts, Kolkata | 1994 |
| Annual Exhibition organised by Indian Society of Oriental Arts, Kolkata | 1993 |
| Annual Exhibition organised by Indian Society of Oriental Arts, Kolkata | 1992 |
| Art in Aluminium, organised by Indian Aluminium Company Ltd. at Gallery Chemould, Kolkata | 1992 |
| Annual Exhibition organised by Indian Society of Oriental Arts, Kolkata | 1991 |
Solo Exhibitions
Illustration of the ‘Quotes of Acharya Tulsi’, at Florida International University, Miami, USA | 2014 |
| Replica of the Mural Painting (56’ x 4’) on ‘Life of the Jain Acharya, Ganadhipati Tulsi’, at Florida International University, Miami, USA | 2014 |
| Replica of the Mural Painting (56’ x 4’) on ‘Life of the Jain Acharya, Ganadhipati Tulsi’, at Jaina Convention, Detroit, USA | 2013 |
| Mural Painting (56’ x 4’) on the ‘Life of the Jain Acharya, Ganadhipati Tulsi’, at Indian Museum, Kolkata | 2006 |
| ‘Nirakar: Sakar’, paintings based on the 24 Jain Tirthankaras, at Birla Academy Art & Culture, Kolkata | 1997 |
| Aluminium Foil Paintings at Kolkata | 1987 |
Commision
Painted 1000 (approx.) Jain manuscripts written by Jain monks and nuns | 2000-2010 |
Lectures
‘Many splendored hues of Modern Jainism under the aegis of Acharya Tulsi’ at ‘Acharya Tulsi and the Making of Modern Jainism’ International Conference, Florida International University, USA | 2014 |
| ‘Importance of Jainism and Namaskar Mahamantra’ at Terapanth Professional Forum, Kolkata | 2010 |
Series of lectures at Bodhi Vyakhyanmala, Kolkata
| 2006-2007 |
| ‘Jain Mathematics and its cultural underpinnings’ at the Annual Conference of Association for Improvement of Mathematics Teaching | 2006 |
| Presented a ‘Painting Exhibition on Anekant’ at the International Seminar on Anekant: A dialogue on Human Concerns, Vadodara, Gujarat organised by Jain Vishva Bharati University | 2002 |
| ‘Anekantvada through Paintings’ at National Symposium on Anekant -Theory and Practice, Gangashahar, Rajasthan organised by Jain Vishva Bharati University | 2001 |
Teaching Experience
| Jain Scholar Scheme by Akhil Bhartiya Terapanth Mahila Mandal - taught Elementary Prakrit Language and Jain Karmic Theory | 2011-present |
| Taking Contact Classes in Hindi Literature and Jainology for M.A and B.A. students of Jain Vishva Bharati University’s Distant Education Course | 2000-present |
Conceptualized & initiated (elementary, intermediate and advanced) courses in Jainism: history, culture, philosophy & karmic theory | 2004-present |
Professional Affiliations
| Senate Member of Jain Vishva Bharati University, Rajasthan | 2011-2014 |
| Chief Editor of ‘Abhyudaya’ monthly journal of Jain Shwetambar Terapanthi Mahasabha, India | 2006-2012 |
Director of Jain Scholar Scheme of Akhil Bhartiya Terapanth Mahila Mandal, India | 2011- present |
| Convener of ‘Bhikshu Granthagar’ Library of Jain Shwetambar Terapanthi Mahasabha, Kolkata | 2006-2012 |
Articles and Reviews
| Hindustan Times, Kolkata, ‘Mural Tribute to Jain Guru’ | August 2006 |
| The Tribune, Chandigarh, ‘The Peaceful Liberators, again’ | March 2002 |
The Economic Times, Kolkata, ‘Elaborate Narrative Tableaux’ | August 1997 |
| The Statesman, Kolkata, ‘More than a Pastime’ | August 1997 |
| The Asian Age, Kolkata, ‘Tirthankaras come alive on canvas’ | August 1997 |
| The Telegraph, Kolkata, ‘Laudable Endeavour’ | December 1989 |