Vishwa Hindu Parishad wants nude Hussain to travel across India

For all his controversial masterpieces, Maqbool Fida Hussain has always courted controversy as well as the right-wing Hindu organisations.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad promptly picked up on a story published by MiD DAY on Monday (‘Hussain in the Nude‘) about a Delhi-based artist’s attempt to paint the master in the buff.

"This should send a message to MF Hussain. When he painted Hindu goddesses and Bharatmata in the nude, it was not appreciated by a large section of society. We hope the man realises the grave mistake he had done by hurting religious sentiments," said a spokesperson of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

Meanwhile the artist, Dr Pravana Prakash, confirmed that the VHP had called him, extending its support. "The media coordinator of VHP rang me up this morning and praised my paintings. I was even encouraged to hold such exhibitions in other parts of the country. But I would like to clarify that my fight is not against any religion or sex. My paintings just say one thing stop using women as objects. They should be treated with respect," said Dr Prakash.

The artist also confirmed that BL Sharma, a BJP politician, is coming to visit his exhibition at the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS) Gallery. "He is planning to come today," Dr Prakash added.

Meanwhile, the owner of the gallery where the controversial painting is on display, said there was nothing vulgar about it. Chairman of AIFCS Hari Ram Heera Nandani said, "I don’t think there is any problem with the painting as it doesn’t portray nude images of gods or goddesses. It’s just the painter’s creativity that has been captured. However, if there is any controversy, we will certainly remove the paintings."

But city artists refused to express their views. Popular contemporary Indian artist Anjolie Ela Menon said, "An amateur artist wants to make a political statement and I don’t want to be a part of it."

Another renowned painter, Vivan Sundaram, excused himself by saying he was busy. Artists Muzaffar Ali and Shobha Broota offered similar excuses.

Dr Prakash has created a canvas that shows a woman painting Hussain, as he stands framed against his trademark works. In the painting, the great master is depicted standing with a weasel and a palette

Source: MiD Day

MF Hussain’s art disrespects women: Dr Pravana Prakash

August 17, 2009

Shravan Krushna Dwadashi, 5111

After decades of depicting women in the nude, including Bharatmata and many Hindu goddesses, on his canvas, the controversial master artist has been painted doing a Full Monty by a young amateur artist from Delhi.
 

The artist, Dr Pravana Prakash, an Institute of Management Technology (IMT) graduate from Ghaziabad, has created a canvas that shows a woman artist painting Hussain, as he stands framed against his trademark works. In the painting, Hussain is depicted standing with a weasel and a palette. And the artist’s inspiration for this controversial painting seems to be a group of woman painters who had taken offence at the master’s depiction of the fairer sex in uncompromising positions.

"I have no grudge against Hussain. But he depicts women as objects, and that is wrong. His work disrespects women. The idea to paint Hussain in the nude was mooted by a group of women painters. But they were afraid to take on such a famous person. I hope through my paintings the message is conveyed to him," the artist said.

The artist says his paintings reflect his anger against those who disrespect women and justify violence against the fairer sex in the name of tradition. "There has been an increase in attacks on women in the name of moral policing. It is nothing but male chauvinism. The hooligans who attacked the pub in Mangalore in January said they were angered by girls drinking and having fun. But they conveniently chose to ignore boys who were doing the same. Does Western culture corrupt girls alone? This duplicity is the distorted face of modern Indian tradition. And I oppose this," said Dr Prakash.

"We can not afford to remain silent and be a mute spectator to women being mistreated. We have to take a stand against what happened in Mangalore, to author Taslima Nasrin in Kolkata and to nuns in churches, highlighted by Sister Jesme in her book about sexual repression of nuns in Kerala. This series is my way of protesting."

The talk of town

The exhibition, inaugurated on Independence Day, at All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS), Connaught Place, is attracting eyeballs. The nude Hussain is in the spotlight. Rakhi Kapoor, a student of Fine Arts from Delhi University, visiting the exhibition, said, "MF Hussain has been known for his controversial paintings. Now he has been painted in the same frame. This should make him stop depicting others in a derogatory manner."

But not everybody is happy with the controversial canvas. Another visitor, a student of National Museum Institute, said, "Everybody has the freedom of expression but this is not the right way. Male nude is hardly attractive."

Interestingly, Dr Prakash’s paintings were rejected by many galleries before AIFACS stepped forward. "Most were too scared to take on an artist of Hussain’s stature," said Dr Prakash.

The exhibition will end on August 21.

The artist

Born and brought up in Patna, Prakash completed his Bachelor of Medicine from Nalanda University. After 9/11 halted his plans to study in the US, he studied Business Management from IMT, Ghaziabad.

This is not the first time Dr Prakash has taken a stand against social evils through his art. He has spoken out against political corruption and xenophobia in theWest. "As an artist, I feel responsible about society. Instead of just expressing my creative self, I like to react to issues ailing the human kind," he said.

Source: MiD Day