This happens only India(due to dirty politics) just few days back a mail in my inbox was screaming at me! Though I whole heartedly voice an angel’s opinion- forwarded mails are best meant to be deleted! But I could not delete this one! It never asked me to forward itself to 20 more! Neither it said I can get few millions as an inheritor of a rich Indian Man who died keeping huge amount in “The Great Con Bank of Ghana”, and never did it try to make me laugh with that female- male stupid joke!
It made me take a note and then ponder! How far is the limit of freedom of expression in art? Because on my screen there was a comparative chart made on the works of legendary M.F. Hussain! Perhaps I can share it with you-
On the right side- Godess Durga in sexual union with Tiger
On the left- Prophet’s daughter Fatima fully clothed
Again on the right side- Godess Lakshmi naked on Shree Ganesh’s head
On the left – Hussains Mother fully clothed
My right side – Naked Saraswati
And on the left- Mother Teresa Fully clothed
Again on right- Naked Shiv Parvati
On the left side- fully dressed Hussain’s daughter sitting pretty
Next one- Naked Draupadi
To its left- well clothed Muslim Lady
On right- Naked Lord Hanuman and naked Sita sitting on naked Ravana’s thigh
Left- Muslim poets Faiz, Ghalib fully clothed
Again on right- Fully clothed Muslim ruler standing with naked Hindu Brahmin
A change on left side this time- naked Bharat Ma
And the most gruesome of all? The very last painting!
A painting of four leaders where Gandhi is shown decapitated and Hitler naked!
What’s more interesting? Hussain in one of his interviews said since he hates Hitler- the reason he has shown him naked! Brilliant! So what he has to say about all those naked Hindu God, Godesses? Love and Hate relation?
Before you get me wrong I must say this act of him is not about Hindu-Muslim rivalry! It’s a classic case of how a sick mentality can perceive things to be.
AND JUST HOW FAR IS THE LIMIT OF CREATIVE FREEDOM?
What actually on earth has made him differentiate religious representation of particular sects? Just why some unclothed and why some dressed? And why he endorses that Hitler ought to be shown naked because Hussain(in his own words) wants to humiliate him for his acts through his painting!
And the icing on the cake! Kerala Govt. has chosen the great painter for Raja Ravi Verma Award for contribution in art and culture this year!
A man who is fleeing Indian Judiciary and is shrewd enough to change the ownership of his home in Mumbai in his son’s name when Haridwar Police went to confiscate the property- to be handed Raja Ravi Verma Award?
And talk of his contribution in art and culture- a senior student of Sayaji Arts Faculty, Baroda following the foot- prints of the great Hussain? With his highly obscene paintings of Jesus, Lord Vishnu and Shiva!
All these in the name of creative liberty! Sorry but my IQ simply fails to understand- creativity at the cost of hurting other, s sentiments? Well I am not the kind who is a “pandit”, yes although I am a god fearing man but I would not go far for the sake of dharma, and I am an ardent supporter of Hindu Muslim Sikh Issayee Union! **Yet some how could not digest what I saw!
The last line of the mail said-
“How come Hitler’s nudity cause humiliation when in Hussain’s own statement nudity in art depicts purity and is in fact an honour! This shows Hussain’s perversion and hypocrisy”
I am not an authority to act as a judge on such issues but I definitely expect that one’s conscience must speak out his or her concern!