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Maqbool Fida Husain at work |
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New Delhi: As the country gears
up for its annual art fair - India Art Summit - August 19-22, the
name missing from the summit rolls is of self-exiled Maqbool Fida
Husain.
For the second
time in a row, the summit has failed to bring India's best known
face in international art to the three-day fair.
"I am in no way
involved with the India Art Summit. Look what they have done to my
father. They could not even bring his works and none of the
galleries taking part in the fair has taken a stand," Shamshad
Husain, the Delhi-based son of the legendary artist, told IANS
Sunday.
The India Art
Summit 2009, launched last year, will bring 54 galleries - including
17 international ones from 11 countries - with accompanying trade
and educational sessions on art spread over four days.
A statement by
the organisers of the India Art Summit Sunday evening said: "While
we acknowledge the lifelong achievements and the iconic status of
artists like M.F. Husain in Indian art, we are unable to put the
entire collective concern at risk by showcasing artists who have in
the past been received with hostility by certain sections of the
society unless we recieve protection from government and the Delhi
police."
Last year too,
the art summit could not get Husain's works to the fair, citing
security threat in the light of the pending cases against him,
despite demands by the artistic fraternity.
Husain
left India in 2006 after rightwing Hindu outfits threatened him for
having painted Hindu goddesses in the nude and a non-bailable
warrant was issued against him. He now spends his time between his
Dubai and London homes.
For the last
four years, Husain has not exhibited his works in the country. In
2008, SAHMAT had exhibited reproductions of his works.
The 94-year-old
artist reportedly shrugged off his exclusion from India's biggest
art show, saying "It is all part of a 15-year-struggle".
The younger
Husain, however, said there was no legal hassle in bringing his
father's works to India. "Only the fanactics might create trouble."
Earlier in an
interview, Sunil Gautam, managing director of Hanmner M&L, the
organiser of the India Art Summit, had told IANS that the summit did
not "want to court any controversy or pose any threat to Husain's
expensive works because of the delicate sentiments involved".
"My father is
tired of speaking to the media and people, clarifying himself. He
actually does not care and that is why he left India," Shamshad
Husain rued.
M.F.
Husain told the organisers of the India Art Summit this week: "My
struggle has been going on for the last 15 years and with over 800
cases, only one has reached some resolution in the Supreme Court."
"I completely
understand the situation," the artist said.
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