S.H. Raza, the grand old figure on world art firmament, turns 90 on February 22. The Raza Foundation, which provides an impetus to the young artists, has planned a nine-day-long artistic, multi-disciplinary extravaganza that begins in New Delhi on Monday. Aptly titled “Aviraam” (non-stop in Hindi), a nod to the artist’s journey that continues to this day, the festival, among other things, will feature works of Raza Foundation artists like Manish Pushkale, Atul Dodiya, Rahim Mirza and Saba Hasan.
Raza’s work, as he has often expressed, is his “inner experience and involvement with the mysteries of nature and form which is expressed in colour, line, space and light”.
At 90, Raza says he would like to be remembered as a painter who tried to explore.
Excerpts from an interview:
Q: You turn 90 this month. What would be your most cherished thoughts, if you were to look back on your journey as an artist?
A: I started aspiring to be a painter and I have the satisfaction of becoming one. I have painted my own visions of life and reality to the best of my capacity.
Q: Most of your works seem to be reflections of the engagement with your inner self. Were do the realities of the outside world figure?
A: Inside and outside reality reflect each other. One is invariably the other. I have tried to paint what I consider to be the essence. I dearly hope that the dichotomy of the inner and outer disappears in all arts, including mine.
Q: Having dealt with ideas like space and time, and existence and creation, what conclusions, if any, have you reached vis a vis creation and its purpose?
A: An artist never reaches, he always travels. Creation, I believe, is its own purpose.
Q. Of all your immense contribution to the art world, what would you like to be best-known for?
A: It is difficult for me to say. I would like to be remembered as a painter who tried to explore life, art and existence in our time.
Q: Could you share your thoughts on the state and direction of art in India today?
A: I feel the art scene is very vibrant, full of youthful vigour and enthusiasm, many ideas and many styles. It’s dynamic and full of passionate fury.