It was a commemoration of the life and times of the artist who his friends feel never grew old, and his fans say died too young. The event organised by Sahmat was a full house amidst dance, music and emotional talks on India’s Picasso, M.F. Husain, who died in exile in London on June 9.
The event started at the Dhoomimal Gallery where Husain had created murals in 1962. Artists, socialites, authors and students visited the exhibition, Remembering Husain. The gathering then proceeded to VP House, where Husain’s three sons and friends shed light on what Husain stood for.
“If he was always one step ahead of his detractors, it was his greatness that provoked them,” said artist Anjolie Ela Menon, who has been passionate in defending Husain. “We have grieved enough. Now is the time to pay homage to this great man, in the way he wanted it,” she said. “And midgets who attacked him have almost vanished with his death,” she added.
Artist Arpana Kaur recalled how 37 years back, when she was only a novice, the great Husain picked up three of her works. “I thought the pieces would be dumped somewhere as it generally happens with the works of young artists. But to my surprise, a few years back, I saw those pieces displayed at his Bengaluru museum,” she said.
Husain’s younger son Owais, who was present with his father when he breathed his last, said that it was inspirational to see Husain work till the end. “With my father’s demise, I suddenly feel a huge wasteland in front of me,” he said.
As theatre veteran M.K. Raina danced with youngsters on Bollywood numbers, Ram Rahman reminded that the event is not a shok sabha.
“The idea is to highlight and celebrate a life extraordinary. At the same time, we are conveying that the kind of opposition he faced was merely political. The hatred wasn’t on the mind of an ordinary man. He was a painter of Sufi nature. He was the most popular artist of all times, and his reach was immense,” he said.
“We will not forget what happened to this great artist and special citizen of India. Also his struggle doesn’t end with his demise. Freedom of expression is not only for the artist, but for every citizen of the country, and we will talk about it,” said M.K. Raina.