Chitkara University Hosts Renowned Artist K.K. Gandhi and the Peace Dove “Franz Xaver Gruber”

Chitkara University had the distinct honor of welcoming the esteemed artist K.K. Gandhi as he brought the renowned Peace Dove “Franz Xaver Gruber” from Austria to India. This momentous occasion was graced by the presence of Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Pro-Chancellor of Chitkara University, who warmly received K.K. Gandhi. Also in attendance were Prof. (Dr.) Ranjan Kumar Mallik, Dean of Chitkara Design School, and Dr. Sudarshan Pal Singh, Director of the Office of Planning & Architecture, Chitkara University, Punjab.

Dr. Madhu Chitkara, in her expression of gratitude, emphasized the significance of this occasion, which encapsulates the essence of peace and prosperity. She highlighted the importance of creatively spreading a grand message of peace to society. The artwork, GruberTaube (GruberDove), is attributed to the world-renowned composer Franz Xaver Gruber (1787–1863), famous for composing the music for the beloved Christmas carol “Silent Night, Holy Night.” The dove finds its permanent home at the Silent Night Museum Hallein in Salzburg, Austria.

K.K. Gandhi, serving as an artist-in-residence in Hallein, Salzburg, Austria, for one month, was chosen as a messenger of peace to carry the peace dove back to Jammu, India. The bronze sculpture, designed by artist and sculptor Richard Hillinger, follows the concept of assigning individual doves to prominent individuals. This particular bird, named GruberTaube, serves as a messenger of peace, visiting various people and institutions. Its mission involves traveling the world for ten months of the year and returning to the Silent Night Museum in Hallein during the pre-Christmas season.

The peace dove symbolizes fundamental values such as peace, justice, freedom, humanity, democracy, and human rights.

Dr. Madhu Chitkara extended her best wishes to all the artists associated with this artistic and innovative mission.