MUMBAI: A leading Indian painter is losing his home and other properties after failing to appear before a court trying him for hurting religious sentiments by painting “Mother India” as a naked woman.
Maqbool Fida Husain’s paintings have often depicted revered Hindu gods and goddesses in the nude, sparking criticism from nationalist parties and activists. A decade ago, radicals even attacked his Mumbai home.
The painting at issue in the latest controversy shows a naked woman in front of a wheel resembling the one used in India’s national flag. The names of some of India’s states are written across her body.
A similar composition of a sari-clad woman with a wheel – a Buddhist symbol known in Hindi as the dharma chakra – in the background is used to portray “Mother India” in many patriotic publications.
Husain’s work drew protests and several court cases were filed against the 91-year-old painter who lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai and London.
“He did not answer repeated summons from one of the courts which has now issued a proclamation to attach his properties,” Mumbai police official Brijesh Singh said.
“We have pasted the attachment proclamation notice on his home and are checking if he owns any more properties,” he added.
Akhil Sibal, Husain’s lawyer, said, “My client was unaware of any summons from court. Now that we have come to know we are moving to the Supreme Court. This is a politically-motivated case.”
Rightwing groups have called for the arrest of Husain, whose flowing white locks and beard, and habit of walking barefoot, have become iconic in Indian art circles.
In the past, Husain has received support from moderate, progressive Hindus, and on one occasion a former prime minister intervened to ensure no action was taken against him. reuters
Dara Shikoh with a saint [Src: A. Mittal]
M.F.Hussain has the right to paint what he wants. Art should not have any boundaries, as long as it is not ‘attacked’ on anyone. I do not think painting ‘mother India’ in the style he has chosen is wrong, as it is an expression…. There is always two sides at looking something. People view art based on personal reflection of their own lives. Paintings depict a space within us, that is often veiled by the norms of society. It is a shame that India is lacking any progress to look beyond the mundane. I salute Maqbool Fida Hussain and wish him the best of luck!
If thats true, then how about a cartoon on Mohammed and creating a teddy by the name Mohammed ?
Shouldn’t that be freedom of expression as well?
-Subeer
Why is he drawing Hitler nude ?
Why does not he draw, his mother, and other islamic women in nude painting ?
He is a hypocrite.
MF hussain long live.Because he has created masterpieces
of Bharath Matha, Hanumanji,Seethamatha and art has no bounderies. I wish I could paint Mother theresa,Mohammed
in nude and pig form no.no.. nooo. Let Hussain live longer
so that he will get a chance to do better nudepaintings
of his sister, theresa, and his prophet.God bless him in his wishfull thinking
This man is a genius. The sooner these Indian people realize this the sooner India can come out of the last century it’s still living in (and by that I mean the start of the last century).
Sankar, (above), It’s called art. If he wanted to, he could paint Hitler as a saint, in the nude wearing a rose in his hair. Some people would say ‘HOW DARE HE, Hitler was nothing like that’. Others would say ‘JUST IMAGINE, If Hitler had be like that’.
I would really appreciate his open thinking if he could draw his daughter or mother nude sitting on his lap satisfying him holding their holy book on the other hand.
If he could draw that, I would REALLY agree his non-hypocrite talent. NO QUESTIONS ASKED. CAN HE DO THAT??
I wouldn’nt be surprised if he draws something like that soon, since he is an incest which is deep-rooted in his religion.
Those who say that this is just an art please imagine your mother instead of my mother Bharat Ma in the same painting, u will understand the pain. This is not an art but just hypocrasy.
You people clearly are uneducated when it comes to art. That is what makes me so ANGRY about India. They spit out intelligent doctors/engineers yet they can not progress themselves. What he has painted is sheer BEAUTY! India in a nude is beautiful, not disgraceful. Italians would look upon a painting like this and admire it for what it is. The form, the contour it is all there. The expression is there. What is wrong with India? If they want to be taken seriously in this world they need to start acting serious. And stop being a bunch of immature adolescents.
chuma chuma dey dey ….la la oho la la oho ….disco dewani hey – aha uho la la la….li lil lil
One can paint any one nude including Bharatmatha , prophets saints someone’s mother etc.etc. But he/she needs to be prepared for the reactions of those who love,respect or adore those . If calling you bast…. is my right then slapping on my face is your right too. Hussain is no exception.
I agree that Husain can paint what he wants. But there is no need to discriminate. I dare him to paint his prophet Mohammed in the nude or in implied sexual acts with animals.
He paints Yemeni women with their faces covered. Why not show them in the nude or semi nude?
Just as the painter cannot be forced to paint something, likewise, the public shouldn’t be forced to accept an offense. Art should not be thought-provoking, not insulting.
The man is a genius maybe but after looking at ma durga sketched as naked and having sexual union with a tiger. I think he is demented one. Freedom of expression does not mean freedom to hurt and disrespect other’s feelings.
Certainly depicting Bharat mata and Durga mata in such obscene ways requires legal action and I am glad action is being taken to bring this senile man to his senses.
HUSSIAN IS A DESH DROHI