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The Telegraph-India 21 December 2001 SENA SHUTS DOWN PAK ART SHOW FROM CHANDRIMA BHATTACHARYA Mumbai, Dec. 20: An exhibition of paintings by Pakistani artists was taken off from an art gallery on Sunday following protests by the Shiv Sena. The show titled Manoeuvring Miniatures opened at Sakshi Gallery on December 8, three days before the attack on Parliament. The exhibition was of paintings - ironic depictions of current themes - by contemporary artists from Pakistan using miniature techniques. The few visitors who managed to see the paintings spoke of their charm, originality and boldness, but the Sena was not impressed. Sena leaders claimed that there was a painting in the show that depicted Krishna wearing jeans and holding a gun, which led to the protests. This, the Sena felt, could hurt religious sentiments in a tense political climate. "We found out about the painting after Saamna carried a report on the painting. After the attack on Parliament, when the atmosphere between the two countries is already tense, it's wrong to put up such a painting," said Sena's Sunil Shinde. "Last Sunday, we went to the gallery to stage our protests. But the paintings were already taken off by then because of the Saamna article," Shinde said. Those associated with putting up the exhibition were tight-lipped. "The show was taken off because we felt it was necessary," a senior employee of the gallery said. "The organisers took it off because of certain unavoidable reasons." She confirmed the Sena protests. "There was a painting of Krishna. But it would not be right to comment on the matter," another person associated with the show said. The Manoeuvring Miniatures show came to Mumbai after being put up at Delhi. Artists are shocked at the withdrawal of the paintings. "The paintings were charming, with lots of humour. There was even a painting poking fun at Musharraf. The paintings were very skilfully done, weaving in Western art with Mughal miniature techniques. For example, there was a miniaturised Manet set in a traditional Mughal miniature background," said painter Jehangir Sabavala. "There was Krishna painting. I don't remember the details." Many artists in the city were disappointed that they could not visit the show. "It is unfortunate that it was pulled off," said painter Atul Dodiya. ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9WB2D Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
