Time to get over controversies: Raj
The Shiv Sena on Thursday said M.F. Husain pursued his art ardently but his depiction of Hindu gods and goddesses was flawed.
The artist had become the target of saffron ire for his depiction of Hindu deities. In 2007, Sena activists attacked his exhibition in the capital, forcing the organisers to close down the show.
Sena chief Bal Thackeray said: “M.F. Husain was as strong-willed as he was fantastic. There are differences over his art, but he did not give up his obstinacy. But he left the country. I do not agree with this form called modern art. In an interview to Time magazine, Picasso has said, ‘I fool the people.' An artist has his peculiar style, and Husain pursued his modern style wilfully. He only slipped up on the depiction of Hindu gods and goddesses. Otherwise, he was happy and content in his field. If his demise is a loss for modern art, then so be it. May his Allah give him peace!”
An asset: Raj
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray said it was time to get over the controversies surrounding Husain's paintings, and due respect should be paid to the painter.
“He was an asset to the country. His passing should put an end to all the controversies surrounding his paintings. His family should be allowed to bring back his mortal remains.”
“His own genre”
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said: “This maverick painter, who was born in the soil of Maharashtra, made great efforts to gain international recognition. Known as India's Picasso, he created his own genre of art. With his demise, colours have turned pale with grief.”
Keywords: M.F. Husain, M.F. Husain death
The biggest disservice to MFH on his death is publishing what the two Thackeray thugs thought of him. Both of these were created by Congress during different times to divert the attention of common man into communal or ethnicity angles. The level of rot in the Indian culture is depicted by the fact that people and the media saw nothing wrong when MFH was hounded by these hyenas. Congress did nothing to stop him from leaving the country. This is a party that claims to be secular only when dealing with BJP. This is a pattern of Congress that matches the British rulers. They rule with the purpose of exploiting without ruffling any feathers so as to maintain their grip on power. Just like the imperialists, the congress does not have the intention of improvement of the country or a vision towards that. Their vision is to divert, deflect, shoot the messenger and carry on with their power. They create regional thugs or use some of the existing ones as and when it suits them. You cannot blame the people of a nation for not understanding these issues, as the people are fed nonsensical stories from the media. MFH deserved a better treatment by the people of his country, if not the congress government.
Its not correct to equate the depiction of figures at some of the old temples to the paintings done by this artist. The former was done in a spiritual sense, and was meant to elevate the people visiting the temple above the sensual stage. However, the latter encouraged more sensuality, and disrespect towards the sacred. After all, there are some boundaries which have to be respected - it cannot be trashed in the name of freedom of expression.
If MFH hadn't existed, the Shiv Sena would have had to create him. At that time a twenty year old painting (which had caused no waves so far) came in handy for the Sena, which was facing multiple threats. Anna Hazare was on a campaign against the Sena's corruption, Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister, was adamantly refusing to save them by putting a cork on the Srikrishna Commission report and the Tiger's empire was in trouble with satraps trying to strike out on their own. MFH was the prime fall guy, with his loud mouth and self-promotion, his pavement artist beginnings, his so obviously not being one of us - of course, the fact that he was one of 'them' was the main factor. No wonder the Tiger owns up on his gratitude for a welcome diversion and a rallying point.
Many artists and their art work were controvertial. This happened in the past and most probably will continue to happeen in the future too. All human beings are unique and they have their own ideas which might be different from the belief of a common man in the society he/she comes from. This happened with MF Husain. But there are fanatics and fundamentalists around who blew things out of proportion.
Actually, the ones to be exiled are fanatics like Thackeray who fuel regionalism for their narrow political gains and to fill their own pockets.
The passing away of the greatest artist M.F. Husain might have ended the controversy leading to his self-imposed exile. but if one watches carefully the olden days depiction at the temples and other places,it appears uncalled for hue and cry erupted over his paintings.
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