Supreme Court clears M.F. Husain of any Blasphemy

SC verdict a great gift: M F Husain

9 Sep 2008, 0534 hrs IST, Anubha Sawhney Joshi,TNN

NEW DELHI: It's probably the best birthday present he could have ever received and artist M F Husain is graciously thanking the country's highest court. "The Supreme Court has shown it is actually supreme... What a great gift" said Husain, who turns 93 on September 17.

Over the phone from Dubai the artist added, "At last they have understood the dignity of Indian contemporary art. This is not a victory for me only but one for the Indian contemporary art movement. In fact, it is the collective force of this movement that has finally been recognized by the SC."

Husain, who has been in self-imposed exile since January 2006 when right-wing groups threatened him with dire consequences, says he misses his country and can't wait to get back.

"I want to have khus chai at an Irani cafe in Mumbai and eat jalebi sitting in the CCI club lawns. I also miss having Dilli ka paan..." he said, promising to return soon.

India's artist community came together to congratulate the living legend. Friend and fellow-artist Tyeb Mehta, though hardly able to speak, insisted on coming on the phone after he was informed of the good news.

"The SC has lifted what was a national shame. I'm very happy for Husain and for the artist community. Please convey my good wishes to my friend," said Mehta.

Most artists, of course, welcomed the decision but said it should have come earlier. Said Delhi-based artist Ram Kumar, "This is good news but it should have happened much earlier."

Added Krishan Khanna, "I'm so thankful this decision has come in Husain's lifetime. This ridiculous state of affairs has gone on too long but better late than never." Gallery owner Arun Vadehra is ecstatic. "Husain has been a dear friend. My faith in the judiciary has been restored with this verdict."

Anjolie Ela Menon, who met Husain a few months ago in Dubai, is rejoicing. "He has the energy of a young man and his life is to paint everyday. I'm sure Husain never meant any insult to anybody. Which other Indian painter has made 300 paintings of the Mahabharat? I think this self-appointed moral police needs to stop. Husain is undoubtedly the grand old man of Indian contemporary art and we must get him back here."

Link

M. F. Husain - the grand old man of Indian contemporary art turns 93

The many hues of Husain
Riddhi Doshi
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 23:59 IST

Interesting nuggets about the maestro’s life.

He turns 93 today. One of the most popular and talented Indian masters is all set to have a small family dinner in Dubai, to celebrate the occasion. He will also unveil one of his large works that he has made for a bank there. Why such a low key birthday and he says, “It’s not for me to celebrate the birthday with a bang. It is the time for my grandchildren to have a big birthday party.”

Akbar Padamsee, Husain’s junior in the Progressive Art Group, who calls him a ‘miraculous artist’, narrates a story that very few know. Akbar says, “Husain was just about 20 years old when he came to Mumbai from Indore. He used to live on the pavements of the Badar Baugh area near Grant Road, as he didn’t have a house to live in then. A few hoarding artists worked there. Once they had left their work to go for lunch, Husain drew the entire sketch without using the grids. The hoarding artists immediately hired him. On his second day in Mumbai, Husain had a job and right opposite was his future wife. The girl living in the opposite building invited him for dinner; her father liked Husain and got the daughter married to him. Husain soon moved to his wife’s place and in a room of 10 by 12, he made a loft which became his first art studio. When I had met him on one occasion in his house, he had narrated the story to me.” Akbar adds, “On his birthday, I hope that the miraculous artists always stay miraculous.
Ram Rahman, renowned lensman who has shot Husain many times, narrates one of his fondest memories of time spent with the maverick artist. “He asked me to come to Dubai last December. His old Czechoslovakian girlfriend, Maria, had returned to him about 90 paintings that Husain had given her in the early 1960s. Husain was very excited as he believes that those were a few of his best works—the works of his younger days. He had carefully displayed all the drawings and paintings in one of the rooms of his house. He expressed a desire to open a museum in India, where he wanted to show these works. And, while I was there, he insisted that I see Madhuri Dixit’s Aaja Nachle. If I remember correctly, when he saw it with me, it was his fifth viewing!

He admitted that though the movie was not very well ‘nevertheless she was on the screen’. Everyone can learn from him how to keep young at heart. His zest for life is admirable.

d_riddhi@dnaindia.net

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