MF Hussain's hypocrisy

Sad…but it is reality……If a person dresses like a Sikh Guru, thousands of Sikhs gather and destroy> their establishments , threaten to kill him,> announce a bounty on his head - Sikhs are not> criticized for being communal and intolerant,If a Danish journalist depicts the Prophet of the> Muslims , Muslims all over the world rise in angerthere is violence, a booty on the head of thejournalist - Muslims are not criticized for being> communal and intolerant,>> If MF Hussain draws paintings depicting> Hindu Gods and Goddesses in sexual positions> (which relations are not borne out by ancient texts> at> all ) and Hindus merely protest , they are called> communal, intolerant and taught lessons in> secularism by one and all.>> The problem apparently is not with Sikhs and> Muslims,> it is with Hindus , because we are not violent, we> accept what ever is dished out to us , we do not> have> the guts to say that this is wrong , we seek> acceptance from outsiders rather than from our> conscience. We worship the same Gods and Goddesses> but> don't stand up for them when the time comes.>> If you believe Hussain is wrong, forward this> message.> Goddess Durga in sexual union with Tiger - Prophet's> Daughter Fatima fully clothed>> Goddess Lakshmi naked on Shree Ganesh's head - M.F.> Hussain's Mother fully clothed>> Naked Saraswati - Mother Teresa fully clothed>> Naked Shri Parvati - Hussain's Daughter well clothed>>> Naked Draupadi- Well clothed Muslim Lady.>> Naked Lord Hanuman and Goddess Sita sitting on thigh> of> Ravana - Muslim poets Faiz, Galib are shown> well-clothed>> Full Clad Muslim King and naked Hindu Brahmin.>> The above paintings clearly indicates Hussain's> tendency to paint any Hindu as naked and thus his> hatred.>> Naked Bharatmata - Hussain has shown naked woman> with names of states written on different parts of> her body. He has used Ashok Chakra, Tri-colour in> the painting. By doing this he has violated law &> hurt National Pride of Indians. Both these things> should be of grave concern to every Indian> irrespective of his religion.>> Out of the four leaders M. Gandhi is decapitated and> Hitler is naked. Hussain hates Hitler and has said> in> an interview 8 years ago that he has depicted Hitler> naked to humiliate him and as he deserves it ! 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. Don't> feel shy to circulate. At le ast people should know.> "> Every one should know what WE HINDUS ARE" WE DON'T> HAVE> COURAGE TO PROTECT OUR SELF RESPECT.

MF Hussain's Hypocrisy--this was the title of one of the chain mails that I received a few days back. I am a little taken aback at the blatant statements being made ,of Hindus not being violent enough to protest against the ghastly depictions of Hindu deities. The manner is which its exhorting readers to gain courage and be more self respecting is ridiculous.!!Whoever gave them the moral right to pass such judgements? and What kind of self respect are we talking of? Hussain's paintings , on many an occasion, have sparked off controversies and debates.Quite unfortunately, only the religious fundamentalist is seen and heard more, silencing completely the intellectual and moderate voices. On the contrary,if it were true that Hindus are more tolerant and less violent, it would fill me with a huge sense of pride:)...In my mind, this is just a distasteful representation and a gross misuse of art. As an artist it would repulse me rather than anger or hurt my religious sentiments . We are all familiar with Hussain's eccentricity and this is just another manifestation of it. So why create a hue and cry about it? Just leave the poor man alone to what he may call creativity. Its a free world and he has the right to do what he wants..I feel the media here and the artist community at large should ignore his lunacy and devalue his art. Garner support through chain mails for acts of injustice and crime, do something for the larger good of mankind.Using religion to incite people is incorrect. For all that this is worth, Goddess Lakhshmi is still beaming down at him!! So who's had the last laugh?

Humbled by you

Her admission into my life couldn’t have been at a more opportune time. She was like manna from heaven sent to be my anchor when the world around me was beginning to collapse. With a need to vent my bottled up feelings, I approached a counseling centre and shared my misery with a complete stranger. In an alien city, far removed from home, I was drawn like a magnet to this compassionate soul. Despite her commitments she always made time for me and never tired of hearing my unending woes. Her words of encouragement fuelled my sagging spirits and made it easier for me to deal with the pain. With successive meetings, I grew extremely fond of her in as much as she was of me and soon we had extended our professional relationship into a personal one.


I believed I was being victimized for no fault of mine and that life had doled out a rough deal. While I was wallowing in self pity, I learnt of the tribulations that she had faced in her lifetime. My problems paled in comparison and I could only marvel at the dignified manner in which she had risen from the depths of despair. Life’s trials can make any sane person acrimonious but she displays a zest for life that is truly admirable.

Over the next few years, I imbibed many of her sterling qualities, both consciously and subconsciously. I learnt to give more than to receive from everyone around me. The complete satisfaction and joy in reaching out to others is an indescribable feeling. It is almost as if I was discovering a whole new dimension of my personality. She brought me closer to nature and its magnificence , as I began to exult in its splendor. Never before had the line up of gulmohar trees ( or the May flower as she prefers to call it!!) offered a more delightful sight, as I drove to office every morning. Among life’s many miracles, I could see myself turning a new leaf. She had managed to suck me out of my humdrum existence to see a different world altogether. I learnt to count my blessings rather than cry over spilled milk…Our little tet-a –tetes over steaming, strong filter coffee and idlis at a roadside eatery was a treat that I looked forward to. The lure of extravagance faded into the background as I began to see purity and beauty in simplicity….My maid ‘s cherubic smile, camouflaging her wretched existence , was a symbol of beauty. The intense gaze of a roadside peddler revealed his intellect and passion for his profession…. -- I had begun to discern, but more humanely.

The age difference of 20 odd years didn’t matter at all. There were enough grounds of commonality to strengthen the bond. Our love for theatre, dance, music, movies strengthened our relationship further. Movies centred on human relationships, the strength of women in times of strife, tugged at our heart strings with the same intensity. As part of the imbibing process ( or rather copying!!) I tried to inculcate a habit to read… Soon book reviews became a part of our conversation too…

Philanthropy is her middle name. She doesn’t spare any opportunity to be associated with causes for the propagation of culture among the youth, betterment of underprivileged children. At this age when most people are slowing down their pace, I find her revving into fifth gear. Given her other interests in ikebana, Chittara art and the Indo Japanese foundation, she sure keeps a busy schedule. I have to now seek an appointment with her; a fact that she will humbly deny!

One cannot see the halo around her, but her actions and demeanor leave no doubt in my mind that she is God’s very own—a true angel… Thank you so much for being a part of my life and making me stand on my feet again:)