23.05.06
I see Hussain’s paintings of Hindu Goddesses in the nude as an artistic and philosophic depiction of a subject (the subject of divinity) that has innumerable facets and each and every facet revealed by an artist or a philosopher would only help to take our consciousness further into the depths and sweep of spirituality. When the art is from an artist of Hussain’s proven calibre, we need to strive to see the merit in it rather than doubting his motives. Who else can open our eyes to the higher dimensions except the sages of our age? Being liberal, I would say Hussain is a sage, at least of sorts!
Having said this much, I understand why Hindus are angry with Hussain’s depiction. Hindus, being Hindus, cannot stand narrow mindedness and they have seen the practitioners of Islam exhibiting much narrow-mindedness for some time now (from the creation of Pakistan to the fight for Kashmir; from the stubborn refusal to allow a Ram temple at Ram’s birthplace to the numerous terrorist operations all over India against symbols of Indian nationhood) and in such a light, Hussain has been overshadowed and caught in the cross-fire of a Hindu response to Islamic fanaticism. Thus, Hussain is more a victim of Islamic terrorism. However, when Hindus finally triumph over Islamic terrorism, then Hussain will be seen in a new light and we would be able to appreciate his depiction of Hindu goddesses in the nude.
I see Hussain’s paintings of Hindu Goddesses in the nude as an artistic and philosophic depiction of a subject (the subject of divinity) that has innumerable facets and each and every facet revealed by an artist or a philosopher would only help to take our consciousness further into the depths and sweep of spirituality. When the art is from an artist of Hussain’s proven calibre, we need to strive to see the merit in it rather than doubting his motives. Who else can open our eyes to the higher dimensions except the sages of our age? Being liberal, I would say Hussain is a sage, at least of sorts!
Having said this much, I understand why Hindus are angry with Hussain’s depiction. Hindus, being Hindus, cannot stand narrow mindedness and they have seen the practitioners of Islam exhibiting much narrow-mindedness for some time now (from the creation of Pakistan to the fight for Kashmir; from the stubborn refusal to allow a Ram temple at Ram’s birthplace to the numerous terrorist operations all over India against symbols of Indian nationhood) and in such a light, Hussain has been overshadowed and caught in the cross-fire of a Hindu response to Islamic fanaticism. Thus, Hussain is more a victim of Islamic terrorism. However, when Hindus finally triumph over Islamic terrorism, then Hussain will be seen in a new light and we would be able to appreciate his depiction of Hindu goddesses in the nude.
