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From Mismatch to DreamTeam

India's Bible project needed an illustrator. A Hindu artist was willing. Was it worth the risk?

by Randy Bishop

When the International Bible Society of South Asia (IBSSA) needed someone to illustrate its new children's Bible, they naturally picked a Christian artist. Little did they know that their choice would turn out to be a poor one. Demanding payment up-front for 16 illustrations and a cover, the man received $1,700, and then left town—never to be heard from again.

The project was stymied. The IBSSA team did not have any other artists in mind. They did have a recommendation from their printer, but he was not a believer. In fact, he was a celebrated Hindu artist.

After six months of waiting and praying, the IBSSA team in Hyderabad, India, decided to take a risk. Desperate to get the project restarted, they approached Shiva Prasad, 44.

Still, the IBSSA staff wondered, "Could an artist, renowned for his depictions of Hindu mythology and featured in newspapers, magazines, and on movie billboards, sensitively illustrate the Bible?"

Prasad was caught off guard when P.L.N. Murthy, IBSSA's executive director, approached him about the project in February 1996. However, he was eager for work and sensed the significance of the project—the first Bible designed by Indian artists for India's children.

"I don't know much about the Bible," Prasad told Murthy, admitting he had never read it, "but let me read it, and I'll get back to you."

Prasad's first "book" to illustrate was the Gospel of Mark. During his careful reading, Prasad experienced three dreams in which Jesus appeared to him.

"He was in a white garment with golden hair," Prasad says. "Stretching out his arms, Jesus said, 'Follow me.' Immediately, I decided to follow him."

A tenuous faith made strong
A week after Prasad's third dream, his 70-year-old father died. The artist was devastated and stopped working. For a month, Prasad remained angry, restless, and frustrated—alternating between blaming Jesus for his father's death and blaming jealous Hindu gods.

Then, Jesus appeared to him in another dream, saying, "Follow me, I will give you peace." With those words, Prasad's anger vanished and the raging storm in his heart dissipated. Now he could mourn his loss openly, knowing his father had died from natural causes. He cried for the first time since his father's death.

With new zeal, Prasad took up the project as a devoted follower of Christ. After studying each Bible story, Prasad drew preliminary sketches. The figure of Jesus bore a striking resemblance to the Jesus who appeared in his dreams. Prasad's two brothers, both artists, colored the drawings and added the finishing touch.

Four months after Prasad began studying the Bible, the three brothers finished their 16 illustrations for Jesus and His Life, a colorful presentation of Mark's Gospel, complete with study helps for children.

When Prasad turned in the completed assignment, Murthy knew their risk had paid off—God had led them to the Hindu artist. God's providence became even more evident when Prasad recounted his testimony for the first time. Clearly, he was the artist to finish the entire Illustrated Discipleship Bible for Children.

Prasad returned to work with his brothers on illustrations for the entire New Testament. As he read the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, Prasad's faith grew stronger.

Reaching and reaping
In January 1997, IBSSA began the massive task of reaching India's 300 million school children with the Word of God—beginning with every student at Greets Academy, Kochi, South India. Many of the students were intrigued by Jesus' teaching and several completed the Bible quiz at the back of Jesus and His Life. Those who complete the quiz receive a copy of the Bible from IBSSA.

Meanwhile, God continued to speak to Prasad through the Word. When the artist came to the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, he realized his own need to be baptized publicly. On Good Friday 1997, Prasad went to a Baptist church in Hyderabad and met with the pastor, who urged Prasad to return Sunday. Not only did Prasad come back to be baptized before 3,500 worshipers on Easter, but he eventually joined the church.

After his public profession of faith, Prasad's relatives harassed him for relinquishing his family's religion and gods. Unmoved by their criticism, he remained calm and gradually began witnessing to his mother. She became a Christian, too; several months later, Prasad's two artistic brothers became believers.

As the oldest son, Prasad automatically became head of his extended family after his father's death. His family responsibilities include his wife and three children, his mother, his brothers, a widowed sister with two children, and three other relatives. When two other sisters recently married, Prasad paid their dowry, which exceeded $15,000 in U.S. currency. Today, Prasad is earnestly praying for the rest of his family members to follow Christ.

Prasad and his brothers have finished their illustrations for the New Testament and are now working on the Old Testament. Over 1,200 drawings are required to finish the project, which is expected to be completed December 1999. Murthy hopes the Bible will be published in 20 Indian languages as well as English. Prasad still uses images recalled from his dreams to create his art, but is also using films such as Ben-Hur, The Robe, and The Ten Commandments for visual reference.

Over the past year-and-a-half, 80,000 copies of Jesus and His Life have been distributed in India's schools, even in locations where up to 90 percent of the children come from Hindu or Muslim families. Since many of the schools were started by Western missionaries and are still run by Christians, IBSSA has had no problems securing permission to distribute the material, Murthy says.

The children, especially Hindus, have readily accepted the booklets, he says. Many Hindu parents want their children exposed to different faiths and encourage them to learn from the moral example of Christ.

"The best way to reach India today is through children. Their minds are fresh," Murthy says.

As God touched Prasad, he can touch thousands in India—one child at a time.

A Christian Reader original article.

Copyright © 1998 by the author or Christianity Today International/Today's Christian magazine (formerly Christian Reader).
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