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Press about M.F.Husain
New Delhi: M.F. Husain, known as much for his works of art as for his controversial nude paintings on Hindu gods and goddesses during his lifetime, continues to be debated even after his death. Husain remained uncensored in life. The man, whose flowing white locks and beard became his trademark style, was admired or hated. But never ignored. Even as intellectuals, celebrities and art lovers continue to mourn his death, unidentified men in Allahabad destroyed the sand sculpture created by an artist to pay tribute to the Picasso of India. M.F. Husain in Politics Husain has also become a topic of one-upmanship among politicians. While the Congress party leaders are taking jabs at ‘fundamentalist' saffron parties for forcing the artist to live in self-imposed exile, Bajrang Dal, a hardline Hindu organization, which created a ruckus by attacking his studio and home and hounded him out of India, seems to have ‘mellowed' though not ‘forgiven' Husain after his death. Bajrang Dal Chief, Subhash Chauhan said, "We are certainly not happy with his portrayal of our deities, but what is left to say now." He asked, "But why are people like Congress leader Ambika Soni and artist Jatin Das shedding crocodile tears now? Where were they when Husain ran away from India? They could have provided him shelter then." Taking jibes at the Congress leaders he said, "They are recommending Bharat Ratna for Husain on the one hand, but look at their attitude towards Taslima Nasreen on the other hand." Why did he abscond? On being reminded that it was Husain's birthright to live in India, Chauhan retorted, "Then why did he abscond? He should have mended his ways rather than insulting the sentiments of millions of Indians. Although we have forgiven him, we can't say that about our millions of Hindu brethren. "People who are now crying hoarse over his death should bring his mortal remains to India and shower them in River Ganga, so that his soul can rest in peace." Reminded that he was a Muslim, hence the ritual was not expected, he shot back, "Then he will not find a place in heaven." Burial in India Rajesh Bidkar, one of the persons who had filed a case in an Indore court, however, was in no mood to relent. "The man who insulted Bharat mata, will not get even a small piece of land for burial in India," he said. Dr Surender Kumar Jain of Vishwa Hindu Parishad had his own take. He said, "Husain did not abscond from India out of fear of Hindu organizations, but because he was afraid of the results of the court cases registered against him due to his misdeeds. If his followers wanted to defend him in the name of ‘freedom of expression', they should have dared to paint religious leaders of other faiths in the same manner." Although not showing open antipathy towards Husain, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray was reported to have described Husain as a great painter. "The sheer force of his lines was amazing. His mortal remains should be brought to India for burial," he conceded. But stating that Husain had a mercurial temperament, Thackeray said that in matters of art, he gave up the country but not his stubbornness. Ahmed Ali, President, All India Shia Personal Law Board said, "irrespective of what VHP or even Jammat e Islami leaders may say or feel, an artist of his stature should have been given respect. Religious extremists do not appreciate and understand that an artist is a free thinker. It's hurting that he died and was buried in an alien land." |
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