Ramprasad das Remembers Srila Prabhupada

Following Srila Prabhupada

Interview DVD 08

Ramprasad: You could see the city from the distance, and there were buildings. I can’t remember exactly his question, but it was something along the lines of “Why do they build these big buildings?” Being somebody who was always a little bit in awe of architecture, I remember saying something like “Well, they like to be remembered from doing some big construction.” I guess that’s sort of the fault of an artist anyway, isn’t it? Either do a painting or leave something behind. Prabhupada said, “That’s exactly the same as the washerman’s donkey. He likes to be known for being able to carry some big load. It’s no different.” Yeah, the washerman’s ass. I remember thinking then, “Hmm.” I was working at the time as a designer and an artist. I had a job in a TV studio here in Melbourne. Prabhupada was dismissing the so-called lofty aesthetics of contemporary architecture. The mode of passion I guess it is, isn’t it? You like to work in the mode of passion and leave something behind that you’ll be known for. But yeah, Prabhupada’s perspective cut through it.