My article, published in the Oman Observer-26/5/08
"For the last month or so, Muscat had been buzzing with the awareness of a major Art exhibition to be organized by the Indian Embassy. May 24th,2008 saw the opening of ‘About Art’- a Collage, which presents the works of major contemporary Indian and Omani artists.
Featuring paintings by M F Hussain, Paresh Maity, Babu Xavier, Debashish, S Chakravarty, Sujata Dere, Moosa Omar, Paritosh Sen, Sudipta Choudhary, S N Jha, Parth Shaw, Aamaya Bhattacharya, Kishore Roy, Shubhra Das, Abdul Rahim Al Hooti, R Mukherjee, Gurjit Singh, Ashok Mullick, Mohammed Nizam, along with S P Joshi, the exhibition truly is a treat for all art lovers in the city.
While opening the exhibition, H.E. Anil Wadhwa, Indian Ambassador to the Sultanate, promised a real surprise to all the people present on the occasion, and what a surprise it turned out to be! Walking into the auditorium was none other than Maqbool Fida Hussain himself, the most well known artist in India, and an ‘icon’ for generations of artists to follow….
As the realization sunk in, there were surprised and appreciative gasps throughout the crowd. Introducing him to the audience, Anil Wadhwa said, “Hussain’s endless quest for his cultural roots and a fearlessly open-minded willingness to absorb diverse influences has made him one of the most recognised figures of contemporary Indian art,”
Recalling the first time, I had seen and shared space with him at the Sea Lounge at the Taj Hotel in Mumbaiway back in 1984, I noted very little difference in M F Hussain. Save one. While he would earlier go about bare-foot, everywhere he went, his only concession to his 92 years, has been wearing socks. And it was black socks that evening. Worn with a simple white ‘Kurta Pyjama and a waistcoat.
I had the opportunity to spend some time with the great master himself at the Indian Embassy. And made the most of the time available.
Responding to my query about what inspires him, Hussain was candid. “I am inspired by life itself. Every where I look, there is inspiration, and I draw upon that ….”
Despite the recent unpleasant imbroglios that he has found himself in, Hussain was categorical. “I have found the inner strength and will to carry on. Having even a few good friends and well wishers gives me daily strength.”
What about people who request or commission him for specific paintings?
“I simply paint what I see, a vision. But since the the Sheikha of Qatar has requested me, I am doing a series on the history of the Arab civilisation. There are a total of 99 paintings in that series. These will go on display in November and will travel around the world.
Recalling the movies that he has made, and responding to the query -
Any particular favourite film that he can recall ‘top of mind’ from the whole body of work produced by him?
“I really have no favourites. A creative man should create something new, and something different all the time. I wanted to make three films and I made them in my language. Others have done it but this is my particular language. And Madhiuri Dixit is an inspiration for me”…
In conclusion, he mentioned that “Art belongs to the world, not to any particular person or country. And that is what I have always strived for- this breaking of all barriers.
I saw it clearly then, a ‘creative genius’, who has managed to continue the prolific churning out of numerous paintings over the last few years. Despite all his troubles…… the hallmark of an admirable personality
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